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Ex-President Trump has stated that American military assets struck a "significant facility" in Venezuela in recent days. But, the ex-leader withheld information about the exact purpose or site of the strike, and there has been no additional comment from his administration.

Unspecific Comments Made In a Talk Show

"We just eliminated – I'm not sure if you saw – they have a big plant, where the ships originate. Recently, we destroyed it. So we targeted them very hard," Trump reportedly said to Republican donor and businessman John Catsimatidis on Friday.

Possible Significance of a Verified Attack

If a US military action were to be confirmed, it would mark the initial attack on Venezuelan soil since the US Department of Defense began a expansion of US military presence in the Caribbean region to disrupt narco-trafficking operations that the Trump administration claims operate under the authority of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

This original mission of the military buildup has evolved into a blockade aimed at hindering the country's crude oil shipments.

Online Video and Official Claims

Trump has for some time indicated that American military units are prepared to expand the military campaign by attacking targets inside Venezuela, a strategy that would in theory require legislative approval.

Online video shared online on 24 December appeared to show an explosion reportedly from an industrial area in a Venezuelan state. But, the video or the facility has not been confirmed by third parties.

An official from Trump's team reportedly told a news network that the president was referring to a narco-trafficking site in his remarks.

Response and Current Military Situation

The Caracas administration has remained silent on the incident the former president described. Furthermore, there have been no independent reports from within the country about it.

The presence of US military in the region – a stance some have called a sea blockade – marks the most expansive maritime enforcement action of his time in office.

Officials have stopped short from calling the action as a blockade, but have confirmed that about 15,000 troops are stationed across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, including a carrier strike group, advanced fighter jets, and law enforcement vessels to implement current sanctions.