🔗 Share this article American Military Struck a 'Major Plant' in Venezuela, Trump Stated Without Providing Specifics. Former President Donald Trump has claimed that US military assets hit a "significant plant" in Venezuela in recent days. Yet, the ex-leader did not specify the exact purpose or location of the target, and there has been no additional comment from his camp. Unspecific Comments Made During a Talk Show "US forces just destroyed – I don't know if you read – they have a large facility, where the vessels originate. Recently, we took it out. So we struck them very hard," Trump reportedly said to GOP supporter and businessman John Catsimatidis on Friday. Possible Implications of a Verified Strike Should a US military action were to be verified, it would constitute the initial ground target hit since the US Department of Defense began a buildup of American strike forces in the Caribbean region to disrupt narco-trafficking operations that the former administration claims operate under the authority of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The stated objective of the military buildup has transformed into a quarantine aimed at hindering the nation's crude oil shipments. Social Media Video and Administration Statements Trump has for some time indicated that US forces are ready to expand the military campaign by attacking objectives inside Venezuela, a move that would theoretically require legislative approval. Video footage circulated online on 24 December appeared to show an detonation allegedly from an industrial area in Zulia state. However, the video or the facility has not been confirmed by third parties. An administration official reportedly informed a news network that the president was referring to a narco-trafficking site in his remarks. Response and Ongoing Strategic Posture The Maduro government has issued no statement on the incident the former president described. Additionally, there have been no corroborating news from within the country regarding it. The buildup of US military in the area – a position some have referred to as a maritime "quarantine" – marks the broadest naval operation of his time in office. Officials have refrained from describing the operation as a blockade, but have confirmed that around 15,000 service members are stationed across the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf, including a aircraft carrier group, advanced fighter jets, and law enforcement vessels to implement existing economic sanctions.