🔗 Share this article US Forces Struck a 'Big Complex' in Venezuela, President Trump Asserted Lacking Offering Specifics. Ex-President Donald Trump has asserted that US forces struck a "significant facility" in Venezuela in recent days. However, the ex-leader did not specify the precise purpose or site of the strike, and there has been no additional comment from his team. Vague Remarks Offered During a Radio Show "US forces just knocked out – I'm not sure if you read – they have a major complex, where the vessels depart from. Recently, we took it out. So we struck them very hard," Trump reportedly said to Republican donor and businessman John Catsimatidis in a recent interview. Potential Significance of a Confirmed Attack Should a US strike were to be confirmed, it would mark the first ground target hit since the US Department of Defense began a buildup of American strike forces in the region to halt narco-trafficking operations that the former administration claims operate under the orders of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The original mission of the force deployment has transformed into a blockade aimed at hindering the country's crude oil shipments. Social Media Footage and Official Claims Trump has for weeks stated that American military units are poised to expand the operations by striking targets within Venezuela, a move that would theoretically require legislative approval. Video footage circulated on social media on 24 December seemed to depict an detonation said to be from an industrial zone in a Venezuelan state. Yet, the footage or the facility has not been confirmed by third parties. An official from Trump's team allegedly told a media outlet that the former president was referring to a drug facility in his remarks. Reaction and Ongoing Strategic Situation The Venezuelan government has not commented on the alleged strike the former president described. Additionally, there have been no corroborating news from within the country regarding it. The presence of US military in the area – a stance certain officials have referred to as a maritime "quarantine" – represents the most expansive maritime enforcement action of the Trump era. Sources have avoided from labeling the operation as a blockade, but have stated that around 15,000 personnel are positioned across the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, including a aircraft carrier group, F-35 aircraft, and Coast Guard cutters to enforce existing economic sanctions.