🔗 Share this article US Military Struck a 'Major Plant' in Venezuela, Trump Asserted Without Offering Details. Ex-President Trump has claimed that American military assets hit a "major facility" in the South American country last week. But, the former president withheld information about the exact nature or location of the target, and there has been no further comment from his camp. Unspecific Comments Offered In a Talk Show "US forces just eliminated – I don't know if you read – they have a major complex, where the ships depart from. Two nights ago, we destroyed it. So we targeted them very hard," Trump allegedly said to GOP supporter and supermarket owner John Catsimatidis in a recent interview. Possible Significance of a Verified Attack If a American strike were to be verified, it would constitute the initial ground target hit since the US Department of Defense initiated a increase of US military presence in the Caribbean region to disrupt drug traffickers that the Trump administration claims operate under the authority of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This original objective of the military buildup has evolved into a blockade aimed at hindering the nation's crude oil shipments. Online Video and Official Statements Trump has for some time indicated that US forces are poised to escalate the military campaign by striking targets inside Venezuela, a strategy that would in theory require legislative approval. Video footage posted online on 24 December seemed to depict an explosion allegedly from an industrial zone in Zulia state. However, the footage or the site in question has not been independently verified. An administration official reportedly told a news network that the former president was referring to a drug facility in his remarks. Reaction and Current Strategic Situation The Maduro government has remained silent on the event Trump described. Furthermore, there have been no corroborating news from within the country about it. The buildup of US military in the area – a posture some have termed a naval quarantine – constitutes the largest naval operation of Trump's presidency. Sources have refrained from calling the action as a full blockade, but have stated that around 15,000 troops are positioned across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, including a aircraft carrier group, advanced fighter jets, and Coast Guard cutters to enforce current sanctions.