US Targets Venezuelan Drug Operations: Major Strike Announced by Trump

Tue Dec 30 2025 07:20:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a controversial move, President Trump confirms a US military strike targeting a dock linked to alleged drug trafficking operations in Venezuela. With a focus on dismantling drug smuggling routes, the strike raises questions about military involvement in foreign drug enforcement.

President Trump has disclosed that the United States conducted a strike on a dock associated with alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers. The strike, part of a series of military actions aimed at disrupting drug shipments from Venezuela, reportedly resulted in significant damage but lacks details on its execution and the site’s location. The Venezuelan government has not responded, and uncertainty remains regarding US military or CIA involvement, further complicating the narrative surrounding these operations.

President Donald Trump has said the US has carried out a strike on a dock area linked to alleged Venezuelan drug boats.

Speaking to reporters in Florida on Monday, Trump mentioned a major explosion last week where they load the boats up with drugs. However, he did not provide details on the location of the dock or confirm whether the US military or CIA were involved.

The Venezuelan government has yet to respond, and it is unclear if the strike occurred within Venezuelan territory.

Since September, the US has conducted strikes on what it claims are drug-smuggling boats, targeting over 20 vessels, many from Venezuela, in the Pacific and Caribbean seas, and resulting in at least 100 fatalities.

The latest strike occurred on Monday, with US Southern Command stating via social media that two narco-terrorists were killed in a lethal kinetic strike in the eastern Pacific.

Trump has previously threatened land strikes in Venezuela and authorized covert CIA actions as part of an effort to pressure President Nicolás Maduro.

When reporters inquired if the CIA had executed the attack, Trump replied, I don't want to say that. I know exactly who it was, but I don't want to say who it was. He added, We hit all the boats, and now we hit the area... it's the implementation area. That's where they implement, and that is no longer around.

Trump's comments mark the second mention of the explosion, following a radio interview last week where he spoke of a US operation against a big facility without providing further specifics.

Questions regarding the strike were directed to the Pentagon, which has not shared images or details regarding the dock incident, contrasting previous transparency following other attacks on drug boats.

Earlier operations have been described by the Trump administration as efforts against terrorists attempting to deliver dangerous drugs to the US via maritime routes.

The US has mobilized 15,000 troops alongside aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, and amphibious assault ships in the Caribbean, marking the most substantial military deployment to the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama. This deployment aims to disrupt the flow of fentanyl and cocaine into the US.

Among the vessels present is the USS Gerald Ford, which has reportedly launched helicopters involved in operational actions against suspected drug trafficking.

Venezuela has condemned US seizures of oil tankers, labeling them as piracy and denying claims by the US government regarding links to narcotrafficking.

In a recent statement, Trump indicated that the seizures may serve as a strategy to pressure Maduro into resigning, suggesting it would be wise for him to do so.