🔗 Share this article American Forces Targeted a 'Large Facility' in the Venezuelan nation, Trump Claimed Lacking Providing Specifics. Former President Donald Trump has claimed that US military assets struck a "large installation" in Venezuela recently. Yet, the former president did not specify the precise nature or location of the target, and officials have issued no additional clarification from his administration. Vague Remarks Made During a Talk Interview "We just eliminated – I don't know if you read – they have a big plant, where the vessels depart from. The other night, we took it out. So we struck them decisively," Trump reportedly told Republican donor and businessman John Catsimatidis on Friday. Possible Implications of a Verified Strike Should a American military action were to be verified, it would mark the first attack on Venezuelan soil since the Pentagon began a expansion of American military presence in the region to interdict narco-trafficking operations that the former administration claims operate under the direction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This initial mission of the military buildup has evolved into a quarantine aimed at hindering the country's crude oil shipments. Online Footage and Official Claims Trump has for some time stated that US forces are prepared to widen the operations by hitting targets within Venezuela, a strategy that would in theory require legislative approval. A clip circulated online on 24 December appeared to show an explosion reportedly from an industrial area in Zulia state. However, the video or the facility has not been corroborated. An source reportedly informed a media outlet that the former president was describing a drug facility in his remarks. Response and Ongoing Military Situation The Caracas administration has not commented on the event the former president described. Furthermore, there have been no corroborating news from Venezuela about it. The buildup of American forces in the area – a stance some have called a maritime "quarantine" – constitutes the largest maritime enforcement action of his time in office. Administration officials have stopped short from describing the action as a full blockade, but have stated that approximately 15,000 troops are positioned across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, including a carrier strike group, advanced fighter jets, and Coast Guard cutters to implement existing sanctions.