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Trump says the U.S. took out a ‘big facility’ in Venezuela amid strikes on alleged drug boats

US Conducts Land Strike on Venezuelan Facility in Major Counternarcotics Escalation

Summary:

President Trump announced during a WABC Radio interview that U.S. forces targeted a major Venezuelan facility in what appears to be the first land-based counternarcotics strike against the Maduro regime. This escalation follows months of maritime interdictions and comes amid unverified White House claims about Venezuela releasing prisoners into the U.S. and facilitating drug trafficking. The administration recently authorized CIA operations, imposed oil blockades, and seized tankers, while Trump refuses to rule out military conflict. These developments raise significant questions about international law implications and regional stability.

What This Means for You:

  • Energy Market Volatility: Monitor oil futures as Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven reserves and renewed tensions could disrupt global supply chains
  • Immigration Policy Impacts: Verify claims about prisoner releases through official DHS/CBP channels before adjusting travel or security protocols
  • Legal Precedent Watch: Consult international law experts regarding the legality of unilateral strikes under UN Charter Article 2(4)
  • Regional Security Risk: Reassess Latin American business operations given potential spillover conflicts in Colombia/Brazil border regions

Original Post:

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said in an interview with WABC radio in New York that the U.S. had “knocked out” a Venezuelan facility, a move that would be a major escalation in U.S. military strikes to counter alleged drug-trafficking by the South American country.

The apparent attack follows months of U.S. military pressure, including dozens of strikes on boats in international waters. The White House has claimed that the boats carried drugs, though officials have not provided evidence.

A vessel burns after a U.S. strike on Dec. 12, 2025
A vessel burns in the Eastern Pacific after U.S. strike (Source: U.S. Southern Command)

“We just knocked out — they have a big plant or big facility where they send the ships from,” Trump stated. “Two nights ago we knocked that out. So we hit them very hard.”

NBC News hasn’t independently confirmed the facility strike, which would represent a tactical shift from maritime to land-based operations. The administration recently acknowledged CIA operations in Venezuela and implemented an oil tanker blockade.

Extra Information:

UN Charter Article 2(4) – Framework governing use of force between states
Venezuela Oil Reserves Report – Context for energy geopolitics
DOJ Narcotics Indictment – Previous allegations against Maduro regime

People Also Ask About:

  • Q: Are unilateral strikes against Venezuela legal under international law?
    A: Most legal scholars contend such actions violate sovereignty without UN Security Council authorization.
  • Q: How does this impact Venezuela’s oil exports?
    A: Energy analysts warn of potential 500,000+ barrel/day production disruptions if conflict escalates.
  • Q: What evidence exists of Venezuelan drug trafficking?
    A: The 2020 DOJ indictment alleges regime coordination with FARC rebels but lacks recent public evidence.
  • Q: Could this trigger Russian/Chinese involvement?
    A: Moscow and Beijing maintain military cooperation agreements with Venezuela that could be activated.

Expert Opinion:

“This operational shift from maritime to land targets crosses a dangerous threshold in hemispheric relations,” warns Dr. María Ramírez, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. “Without transparent evidence or multilateral approval, these strikes establish concerning precedents for justified military interventions under counternarcotics pretense.”

Key Terms:

  • Venezuela counternarcotics operations escalation
  • US military strike Venezuelan land target
  • Trump administration Venezuela policy shift
  • Orinoco Basin energy security implications
  • International law unilateral intervention debate

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