Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that last week the US targeted a “dock area” in Venezuela allegedly used by drug traffickers to load illegal substances onto boats. If this claim is true, it would be the Trump administration’s first known land attack in Venezuela, according to sources.
Trump told reporters in Florida, “There was a major explosion in the dock area where drug boats were loaded. We attacked all the boats, and now the dock area is also being attacked—it’s no longer there.”
He did not clarify whether the operation was carried out by the Pentagon or another US agency.
Information on CIA Drone Strike
CNN, citing sources, reported that earlier this month the CIA carried out a drone strike off the coast of Venezuela. The target was a remote dock allegedly used by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to store and load drugs onto boats.
According to sources, no one was present at the time of the strike and no one was killed. US Special Operations Forces provided intelligence support for the operation. Trump had previously called it a “major facility” allegedly involved in illegal drug production.
US Military Activity and Venezuela’s Response
The US has increased its military presence in Caribbean waters for months, in what the White House has described as an anti-narco-terrorism campaign. Since September, the US has reportedly sank nearly 30 drug boats, resulting in over 100 deaths.
Venezuela has repeatedly accused the US of regime change and military expansion. However, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro recently stated that he is ready for dialogue, provided the US does not interfere in the country’s internal affairs.