Trump Announces Alleged U.S. Land Strike in Venezuela
President Donald Trump stated on Monday that the United States conducted what he described as its first land-based strike inside Venezuela since Washington intensified pressure on the government of President Nicolás Maduro.
According to Trump, the operation targeted a dock area allegedly used for loading boats with drugs. He said the strike resulted in a major explosion and the destruction of both vessels and infrastructure at the site.
“There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs,” Trump stated. “We hit all the boats, and now we hit the area… it’s the implementation area. That’s where they implement, and that is no longer around.”
Trump did not specify the exact location of the site, the date of the operation, or which U.S. agencies were responsible. He also did not provide evidence to support the claim.
The announcement marked the first time Trump publicly asserted that U.S. forces carried out a land operation in Venezuela. U.S. government agencies have not confirmed the statement.
[Internal link placement: Link to a previous Hollywood Unlocked article covering U.S.–Venezuela relations or Trump foreign policy]
Trump Declines to Identify Agency Behind Operation
When asked whether the Central Intelligence Agency was responsible for the alleged strike, Trump declined to confirm.
“I don’t want to say that. I know exactly who it was but I don’t want to say who it was,” he said.
Trump has previously stated that he authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela as part of efforts aimed at weakening Maduro’s government. However, no agency has acknowledged involvement in the incident Trump described.
The White House, the Pentagon, and the CIA did not respond to requests for comment regarding Trump’s remarks. No official statements have been issued confirming or denying the operation.
Last week, Trump referenced a U.S. action against what he described as a “big facility” in Venezuela during a radio interview. He did not provide details at that time, and government agencies similarly declined to comment.
Venezuela and Primazol Deny Connection to Explosion
Following Trump’s comments, speculation circulated online linking his remarks to a fire at Primazol, a chemical plant in Venezuela’s Zulia state that occurred on Christmas Eve. Primazol denied any connection between the fire and Trump’s statements.
The company said the fire was extinguished quickly and is under investigation. However, local residents told Reuters that they heard an explosion, observed flames, and detected the smell of chlorine.
The Venezuelan government has not confirmed any U.S. military activity related to the incident. The Venezuelan communications ministry, which manages government press inquiries, did not respond to requests for comment.
No independent reports have verified Trump’s claim of a U.S. land strike inside Venezuela.
U.S. Agencies Remain Silent as Questions Persist
Trump’s administration has previously highlighted operations targeting suspected drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean. The Pentagon has shared footage in the past showing naval strikes against vessels believed to be involved in drug smuggling.
In this case, however, the lack of confirmation from U.S. national security agencies has raised questions about whether the operation Trump described was covert. Experts note that covert operations typically limit public disclosure, even after completion.
As of now, no U.S. or Venezuelan officials have verified the incident. There is no independent evidence confirming that a land strike occurred.