Trump announces that the US targeted a significant site associated with suspected Venezuelan drug trafficking vessels.

U.S. Conducts Drone Strike on Alleged Drug Dock in Venezuela

The United States has conducted a drone strike on a dock area in Venezuela associated with alleged drug trafficking activities. President Donald Trump announced this development, noting a "major explosion" at the site where drugs are reportedly loaded onto boats. However, he did not provide specific details regarding the operation.

According to multiple media sources, including CNN and the New York Times, the strike was executed by the CIA, marking a potential first known U.S. military operation within Venezuelan territory. The Venezuelan government has not yet issued a response to the incident.

The recent strike forms part of a broader U.S. campaign against drug smuggling in the region. Since September, the U.S. has targeted over 20 vessels involved in drug trafficking in the Pacific and the Caribbean, resulting in at least 100 casualties. The U.S. Southern Command reported that the most recent operation on Monday led to the deaths of two individuals labeled as "narco-terrorists."

Trump has previously expressed intentions to consider land strikes in Venezuela and has authorized CIA operations there as part of a strategy to apply pressure on President Nicolás Maduro. When asked whether the CIA was responsible for the recent drone strike, Trump declined to confirm, stating, "I know exactly who it was, but I don’t want to say who it was."

This marks the second occasion where Trump has referenced the recent explosion. In a prior radio interview, he discussed a U.S. operation targeting a "big facility," without revealing further details. The Pentagon has directed inquiries regarding these operations to the White House, which has yet to comment.

Historically, when conducting strikes against alleged drug boats, the Pentagon has provided visual evidence through social media. However, no such materials have been made available concerning the dock strike.

The Trump administration has characterized these naval operations as necessary actions against terrorist groups engaged in transporting illegal drugs to the U.S. A notable military presence, including 15,000 troops and various naval vessels, has been deployed to the Caribbean, representing the largest U.S. mobilization in the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama. This deployment aims to curb the flow of fentanyl and cocaine into the U.S.

Venezuela has been accused by U.S. officials of using oil revenue to finance drug-related activities. In response, the Venezuelan government has condemned these actions as acts of "piracy." President Maduro has denied allegations of cartel leadership, asserting that the U.S. is using its "war on drugs" as a pretext to undermine his government and access Venezuela’s oil reserves. When asked about the potential implications of these actions on Maduro’s presidency, Trump suggested that forcing Maduro from power could be a likely outcome but stated that the decision ultimately rests with Maduro.

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