🔗 Share this article US Military Targeted a 'Big Facility' in the Venezuelan nation, Trump Stated Lacking Providing Specifics. Former President Donald Trump has asserted that American forces hit a "major facility" in the South American country last week. But, the ex-leader offered no details on the exact purpose or location of the target, and officials have issued no further clarification from his administration. Unspecific Remarks Offered During a Radio Show "US forces just destroyed – I don't know if you heard – they have a big plant, where the ships come from. Recently, we knocked that out. So we targeted them decisively," Trump allegedly told Republican donor and businessman John Catsimatidis on Friday. Possible Significance of a Verified Attack Should a US military action is confirmed, it would constitute the first land strike since the US Department of Defense initiated a increase of US military presence in the Caribbean region to halt narco-trafficking operations that the Trump administration asserts operate under the orders of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The stated purpose of the force deployment has since morphed into a blockade aimed at stopping the nation's oil exports. Online Video and Official Statements Trump has for some time indicated that US forces are ready to escalate the operations by striking objectives inside Venezuela, a tactic that would in theory require congressional authorization. Video footage circulated online on 24 December purportedly showed an explosion said to be from an industrial zone in Zulia state. But, the footage or the facility has not been independently verified. An source reportedly told a media outlet that the former president was describing a narco-trafficking site in his comments. Reaction and Ongoing Military Posture The Maduro government has remained silent on the incident the former president referenced. Additionally, there have been no independent reports from within the country concerning it. The buildup of US military in the region – a posture certain officials have referred to as a naval quarantine – represents the largest naval operation of Trump's presidency. Sources have avoided from labeling the operation as a full blockade, but have acknowledged that around 15,000 personnel are deployed across the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, including a carrier strike group, advanced fighter jets, and Coast Guard cutters to uphold current economic sanctions.