In a significant escalation of US intervention, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has carried out its first-ever land strike on Venezuelan soil, targeting a port facility allegedly used to stockpile drugs bound for America. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, which took place on Christmas Eve.
Trump's Casual Confirmation and Strike Details
President Trump initially hinted at the action during a radio interview on WABC on December 26th, before formally confirming it days later. The strike targeted a remote dock on Venezuela's coast, believed to be a key hub for the Tren de Aragua criminal gang to store and transfer narcotics. Intelligence for the drone strike was provided by US Special Operations Forces.
When pressed on whether the CIA was responsible, Trump offered a cryptic reply: "I don't want to say that. I know exactly who it was but I don't want to say who it was." However, sources have confirmed to CNN that the CIA executed the operation, a move aligned with the President's previous authorisation for the agency to conduct covert activities in Venezuela.
A Strategic Shift in Anti-Drug Operations
This landmark event signals a tactical shift. Since September 2nd, 2025, the US Department of War has conducted over 30 drone strikes on suspected drug vessels in international waters of the Caribbean and Atlantic, resulting in more than 105 fatalities. President Trump has stated that land targets are "much easier" and had warned that "land strikes will start very soon."
The strike on the dock in Zulia state, near Maracaibo, was captured in a viral video showing a large explosion in the early hours of December 24th. While local journalist Jhorman Cruz urged caution about attributing the blast to a US strike, Trump's confirmation leaves little doubt. "There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs," the President stated.
Ramping Up Pressure on Maduro's Regime
This action is part of a continued campaign to apply pressure on Venezuelan socialist leader Nicolas Maduro, whom the Trump administration labels a "narco-terrorist." The US Southern Command continues its maritime campaign, with its latest "lethal strike" on Monday killing two alleged narco-terrorists.
The move from sea to land represents a deliberate intensification, as boat strikes alone were deemed insufficient to deter the regime's operations. While Trump has warned Maduro it would be "smart" to step down, the administration has not explicitly stated that the military operations aim for regime change. The White House, CIA, and US Special Operations Command have been approached for comment.
