🔗 Share this article American Forces Struck a 'Large Complex' in Venezuela, Trump Stated Without Offering Specifics. Former President Donald Trump has asserted that American forces targeted a "significant facility" in Venezuela in recent days. But, the ex-leader did not specify the exact purpose or location of the target, and officials have issued no additional clarification from his camp. Vague Comments Offered During a Talk Show "We just knocked out – I'm not sure if you heard – they have a big plant, where the ships originate. The other night, we knocked that out. So we struck them with significant force," Trump allegedly informed GOP supporter and businessman John Catsimatidis in a recent interview. Potential Significance of a Confirmed Strike Should a US strike were to be confirmed, it would represent the initial ground target hit since the Pentagon initiated a increase of US strike forces in the Caribbean region to disrupt narco-trafficking operations that the Trump administration alleges operate under the direction of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The stated mission of the force deployment has evolved into a quarantine aimed at stopping the nation's oil exports. Social Media Video and Administration Statements Trump has for some time indicated that American military units are prepared to escalate the operations by attacking targets inside Venezuela, a strategy that would theoretically require congressional authorization. Online video shared on social media on 24 December appeared to show an detonation reportedly from an industrial zone in Zulia state. But, the video or the site in question has not been independently verified. An administration official allegedly told a media outlet that the former president was describing a drug facility in his comments. Reaction and Ongoing Military Situation The Maduro government has issued no statement on the event Trump referenced. Additionally, there have been no corroborating news from within the country concerning it. The buildup of American forces in the area – a position certain officials have called a sea blockade – marks the largest maritime enforcement action of Trump's presidency. Administration officials have refrained from labeling the operation as a blockade, but have acknowledged that about 15,000 personnel are deployed across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, including a aircraft carrier group, F-35 aircraft, and law enforcement vessels to uphold existing sanctions.