Trump Claims U.S. Hit ‘Big Facility’ in Venezuela During Drug-Boat Raids

Trump’s Surprise Claim

Former President Donald Trump told supporters late Monday that the United States had "taken out a big facility" inside Venezuela, linking the alleged strike to recent operations against suspected drug-running vessels in the Caribbean.

What We Know

Pentagon officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had "no information" on any kinetic action within Venezuelan territory. Caracas has yet to issue an official response, though state media called the remarks "reckless speculation."

Context of the Claim

Trump’s statement came minutes after he praised U.S. Southern Command for interdicting three self-propelled semi-submersibles allegedly carrying cocaine. The vessels were intercepted over the weekend in international waters off Colombia’s northern coast.

We hit a big facility—boom—gone. These people won’t be sending poison to our streets anymore. Donald Trump, campaign rally in Des Moines

Key Questions

• No satellite imagery or independent footage has surfaced to verify a ground strike inside Venezuela.
• Regional experts note that any unilateral U.S. military action on Venezuelan soil would risk escalating tensions with Nicolás Maduro’s government.
• The White House referred all queries to the Department of Defense, which declined to confirm or deny the claim.

Analysts React

"If true, this would mark a dramatic shift in U.S. counter-narcotics policy," said Raul Gallegos, Andes director at Control Risks. "But without corroborating evidence, the statement may be more about campaign optics than operational reality."

Trump’s allies argue the remarks are consistent with his "peace-through-strength" doctrine, while critics warn of "foreign-policy-by-tweet" resurfacing ahead of 2024.