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Ex-President Donald Trump has claimed that US forces targeted a "major plant" in Venezuela recently. However, the ex-leader did not specify the exact nature or location of the target, and officials have issued no additional comment from his team.

Vague Comments Offered During a Radio Interview

"We just destroyed – I'm not sure if you heard – they have a big plant, where the vessels come from. Two nights ago, we knocked that out. So we targeted them decisively," Trump reportedly said to Republican donor and businessman John Catsimatidis on Friday.

Possible Implications of a Confirmed Strike

Should a US strike were to be verified, it would mark the first ground target hit since the US Department of Defense initiated a buildup of US military presence in the region to interdict drug traffickers that the Trump administration claims operate under the orders of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

This stated objective of the force deployment has evolved into a quarantine aimed at hindering the nation's crude oil shipments.

Online Footage and Administration Claims

Trump has for some time stated that American military units are prepared to escalate the military campaign by attacking objectives within Venezuela, a strategy that would theoretically require congressional authorization.

Online video shared online on 24 December seemed to depict an blast said to be from an industrial zone in Zulia state. But, the video or the facility has not been independently verified.

An source reportedly told a news network that the president was describing a narco-trafficking site in his comments.

Reaction and Ongoing Military Situation

The Caracas administration has issued no statement on the incident Trump referenced. Additionally, there have been no independent reports from within the country about it.

The deployment of US military in the region – a position certain officials have called a sea blockade – constitutes the largest naval operation of the Trump era.

Officials have stopped short from describing the action as a full blockade, but have acknowledged that around 15,000 troops are deployed across the Caribbean and the Gulf, including a carrier strike group, advanced fighter jets, and Coast Guard cutters to enforce current sanctions.