🔗 Share this article US Forces Struck a 'Big Complex' in the Venezuelan nation, President Trump Stated Without Offering Details. Former President Donald Trump has asserted that American forces struck a "large installation" in Venezuela in recent days. But, the former president withheld information about the exact nature or site of the target, and there has been no further comment from his camp. Vague Remarks Made During a Radio Interview "We just destroyed – I don't know if you read – they have a major complex, where the vessels originate. The other night, we destroyed it. So we hit them with significant force," Trump allegedly informed Republican donor and businessman John Catsimatidis in a recent interview. Possible Significance of a Confirmed Attack If a US military action were to be verified, it would constitute the initial land strike since the Pentagon began a buildup of US military presence in the region to halt drug traffickers that the Trump administration alleges operate under the authority of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The initial objective of the force deployment has transformed into a blockade aimed at disrupting the country's oil exports. Online Video and Official Claims Trump has for weeks indicated that American military units are poised to expand the military campaign by hitting targets within Venezuela, a tactic that would in theory require congressional authorization. Video footage circulated online on 24 December purportedly showed an detonation reportedly from an industrial area in Zulia state. Yet, the footage or the facility has not been independently verified. An administration official allegedly informed a media outlet that the president was referring to a narco-trafficking site in his comments. Response and Ongoing Strategic Posture The Maduro government has issued no statement on the event Trump described. Additionally, there have been no corroborating news from within the country regarding it. The buildup of US military in the area – a posture some have called a naval quarantine – represents the largest naval operation of his time in office. Officials have avoided from labeling the operation as a full blockade, but have acknowledged that about 15,000 personnel are stationed across the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, including a carrier strike group, advanced fighter jets, and law enforcement vessels to enforce current sanctions.