President Donald Trump has announced a significant escalation in US military action against Venezuela, claiming forces struck a major facility in the South American nation on Christmas Eve.
Details of the Alleged Strike
Speaking on Friday, 27 December 2025, the President stated, ‘Two nights ago we knocked that out, so we hit them very hard,’ referring to what he described as a "big facility" within Venezuela. The alleged operation took place on the evening of 24 December 2025.
As of now, the White House has not provided specific details regarding the location, nature of the target, or any potential casualties. When questioned, the Pentagon has directed all inquiries to the White House, which has yet to offer further clarification or evidence.
A Major Escalation in US Policy
If verified, this action would represent the first known US land attack inside Venezuela's territory. Until now, the Trump administration's pressure campaign has involved other measures.
These have included strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, a visible buildup of US warships in the region, authorised covert operations by the CIA, and the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers.
President Trump has consistently justified the increasing pressure by citing Venezuela's vast oil reserves, alleged state-sponsored drug trafficking, and claims that the nation is sending criminals to the United States.
Reactions and Broader Context
The announcement has been met with pushback from some US lawmakers and appears to divide public opinion. This move marks the most direct military intervention on Venezuelan soil to date and risks further destabilising the region.
The lack of immediate detailed confirmation from the Pentagon leaves many questions unanswered about the scale and legality of the operation. Observers note this could be the biggest escalation in the long-running conflict between the US and the Venezuelan government.
