Former President Donald Trump recently claimed that the United States obliterated a significant drug trafficking facility located within Venezuelan territory last week.
"We just took down—I don't know if you read or saw—they have a large plant or facility where the ships come from. Two nights ago, we took it down. So, we hit them very hard," Trump declared on John Catsimatidis' radio show, a prominent Republican donor.
The businessman did not provide further specifics about the incident.
When questioned by reporters at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, Trump mentioned a "large explosion in the dock area where they load the ships with drugs" and noted that an "implementation area" was no longer operational.
The former president declined to specify whether it was a CIA or military operation: "I know exactly who it was, but I don't want to say who it was. But, you know, it was on the shore."
A government official informed CNN that it was likely a drug-related facility but refused to divulge additional details about the action.
The Venezuelan regime has not commented on the matter.
Oil Blockade Developments
Last Tuesday, a supertanker loaded with Venezuelan crude returned to Venezuelan waters after several ships were intercepted by the United States in the Caribbean.
According to maritime tracking service TankerTrackers.com, as cited by Reuters, the Panama-flagged vessel Kelly had departed from Venezuela the previous week alongside the Centuries, another tanker from the same nation, both escorted by Venezuelan Navy vessels.
However, the Kelly has now returned to waters near the port of Amuay in Falcón state, where the state oil company PDVSA operates a refinery, based on tracking data.
The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted the Centuries, which was carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of Merey heavy crude, and is pursuing another empty vessel heading toward Venezuela, an OPEC member.
More than a dozen loaded vessels remain in Venezuelan waters awaiting further instructions after the United States seized the supertanker Skipper in early December.
Subsequent interceptions included the Centuries and the Bella-1, the latter linked to Louis Marine Shipholding Enterprises, which is associated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Actions in Venezuela
What did Trump claim about a drug facility in Venezuela?
Trump claimed that the U.S. destroyed a significant drug trafficking facility in Venezuela.
Has the Venezuelan government responded to these claims?
As of now, the Venezuelan regime has not issued any response regarding Trump's claims.
What recent actions has the U.S. taken against Venezuelan oil shipments?
The U.S. intercepted several Venezuelan oil tankers in the Caribbean and seized the supertanker Skipper.