🔗 Share this article US Forces Targeted a 'Major Facility' in Venezuela, President Trump Stated Without Offering Details. Ex-President Donald Trump has asserted that American forces struck a "large installation" in Venezuela last week. But, the ex-leader offered no details on the precise nature or site of the strike, and officials have issued no additional comment from his administration. Vague Remarks Made During a Radio Show "We just eliminated – I'm not sure if you saw – they have a large facility, where the vessels depart from. The other night, we destroyed it. So we struck them with significant force," Trump reportedly said to GOP supporter and supermarket owner John Catsimatidis in a recent interview. Potential Significance of a Confirmed Attack Should a American strike is verified, it would mark the initial land strike since the US Department of Defense began a increase of US strike forces in the Caribbean region to disrupt drug traffickers that the former administration alleges operate under the orders of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. This original mission of the military buildup has evolved into a blockade aimed at stopping the country's crude oil shipments. Social Media Video and Administration Statements Trump has for some time stated that US forces are ready to expand the military campaign by hitting objectives within Venezuela, a move that would in theory require congressional approval. Online video shared on social media on 24 December seemed to depict an explosion reportedly from an industrial zone in a Venezuelan state. Yet, the video or the facility has not been independently verified. An source reportedly informed a media outlet that the president was describing a narco-trafficking site in his remarks. Reaction and Current Military Posture The Venezuelan government has issued no statement on the incident Trump referenced. Furthermore, there have been no independent reports from within the country concerning it. The buildup of US military in the area – a posture certain officials have referred to as a naval quarantine – marks the largest maritime enforcement action of his time in office. Sources have avoided from calling the operation as a full blockade, but have confirmed that approximately 15,000 troops are positioned across the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, including a carrier strike group, F-35 aircraft, and law enforcement vessels to implement existing economic sanctions.