🔗 Share this article American Forces Targeted a 'Large Complex' in Venezuela, Trump Claimed Lacking Providing Details. Ex-President Donald Trump has asserted that American military assets hit a "major installation" in the South American country recently. However, the former president did not specify the precise nature or location of the target, and officials have issued no further clarification from his administration. Unspecific Comments Made In a Radio Interview "We just destroyed – I'm not sure if you read – they have a major complex, where the vessels depart from. Recently, we took it out. So we targeted them with significant force," Trump allegedly informed GOP supporter and supermarket owner John Catsimatidis in a recent interview. Possible Significance of a Verified Attack Should a American strike were to be confirmed, it would mark the first land strike since the US Department of Defense began a expansion of US strike forces in the region to disrupt drug traffickers that the Trump administration alleges operate under the orders of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. This stated objective of the force deployment has transformed into a quarantine aimed at disrupting the country's crude oil shipments. Online Footage and Official Claims Trump has for some time warned that US forces are ready to escalate the military campaign by hitting targets inside Venezuela, a strategy that would theoretically require congressional approval. Online video circulated online on 24 December appeared to show an blast said to be from an industrial zone in a Venezuelan state. Yet, the video or the site in question has not been independently verified. An source allegedly informed a news network that the president was describing a narco-trafficking site in his remarks. Response and Ongoing Strategic Situation The Maduro government has not commented on the alleged strike Trump referenced. Additionally, there have been no independent reports from Venezuela about it. The buildup of US military in the area – a stance some have termed a naval quarantine – represents the largest maritime enforcement action of his time in office. Administration officials have stopped short from describing the action as a full blockade, but have stated that about 15,000 troops are positioned across the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, including a aircraft carrier group, advanced fighter jets, and law enforcement vessels to implement current economic sanctions.