The US has carried out a covert operation in Venezuela, targeting a port facility used by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to store and ship drugs. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, stating that the US had “hit” an area in Venezuela where boats are loaded with drugs.
The operation, reportedly conducted by the CIA, involved a drone strike on a remote dock on the Venezuelan coast. The strike destroyed the facility and its boats, but no casualties were reported as the site was empty at the time.
Trump had previously authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela, and this strike marks the first known US activity inside the country. The US mission has primarily focused on military strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels, prompting intense oversight from Congress.
The Venezuelan government has not commented on the incident, and there have been no independent reports from Venezuela confirming the strike. However, nearby residents reported hearing an explosion and seeing a fire, which was quickly extinguished.
Trump’s Pressure on Maduro to Resign
The US has been escalating pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government, with Trump’s administration overseeing a massive military buildup in the Caribbean, including over 15,000 troops. The operation is part of a broader US campaign against Venezuela, including oil tanker blockades and vessel seizures.
The strike has raised questions about the legitimacy of such actions and their potential to destabilize the region. The US has framed the operation as a counter-narcotics effort, but critics argue it could provoke a harsh response from Maduro.
The CIA and the White House have declined to comment on the operation, citing its covert nature. Trump’s administration has offered mixed justifications for the campaign, with officials citing counter-narcotics as the primary goal.
The operation has sparked debate about the US’s role in Venezuela and the potential consequences of such actions. Some argue it’s a necessary step in combating drug trafficking, while others see it as a reckless move that could backfire.
The US has previously destroyed over 30 suspected drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, and the strike on the Venezuelan port facility is seen as a significant escalation.
The incident has also raised concerns about the lack of transparency and coordination in such operations, with discrepancies in reports about US Special Operations Forces’ involvement.
Venezuela has condemned US actions as “international piracy,” and the strike could further strain US-Venezuela relations.
The operation’s implications for regional stability and the potential for further escalation are unclear.
The US has been pressuring Maduro to step down, and the strike is seen as part of that effort.
The CIA’s role in the operation highlights the agency’s expanded authorities in Latin America.
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