The President’s Claim

During a phone call with businessman John Catsimatidis, who is also a supporter, Trump stated on December 26 that America had “destroyed” a significant drug production facility in Venezuela. He remarked, “I don’t know if you have read or seen it, but they have a huge plant, large facilities where the boats come from, and we destroyed them two nights ago.”

Though Trump did not specifically mention Venezuela during the conversation, sources from U.S. media, including The New York Times, reported that government officials confirmed he was referencing a drug manufacturing site in the country. To date, neither the U.S. military, the CIA, nor the White House has commented on this claim.

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has yet to announce any U.S. attacks on its territory.

Previous Military Actions

The U.S. has previously targeted boats in both the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, alleging they were carrying drugs, yet these claims often lack substantial evidence. Over a hundred individuals have reportedly died in these operations, which legal experts describe as unlawful, with critics labeling them as extrajudicial killings. The U.S. has also deployed a considerable naval presence in the Caribbean, led by its most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, as part of what it terms Operation Southern Lance.

In mid-December, Trump additionally called for a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. This followed the capture of an oil tanker named Skipper and subsequent interceptions, including another ship, Centuries, while a third vessel, Bella 1, has been pursued.

Underlying Motives

Venezuela’s oil is crucial for its government’s revenues, and the U.S. blockade has been viewed as an attempt to pressure President Nicolás Maduro’s administration. While Trump initially framed the military campaign against Venezuela as a fight against drug trafficking—aiming to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs entering the U.S.—the focus appears to be shifting toward oil resources and regime change.

Trump claimed during the WABC interview, “Every time I destroy a boat, I save 25,000 American lives,” without providing evidence to substantiate his assertion. He further stated that drug trafficking to the U.S. had decreased by “97.2%,” again without any supporting data.

When asked whether Venezuela would supply more oil to the U.S. if Maduro were ousted, Trump replied, “It’s about many things; they took our oil, it was stolen, but they also sent millions of people from their prisons to our country, some of the worst people on Earth.”

Future Operations

Trump announced that the bombing campaign against suspicious drug traffickers would lead to a second phase of ground operations targeting drug manufacturing sites. In October, he confirmed he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. Additionally, the U.S. designated the Cartel of the Suns—a group allegedly led by Maduro and other officials—as a terrorist organization, granting U.S. law enforcement and military forces increased authority to engage and dismantle it.

Conclusion

The recent claims by President Trump regarding military actions in Venezuela highlight the complexity of U.S.-Venezuelan relations, especially as they relate to drug trafficking and oil interests. As circumstances continue to evolve, the implications for both nations remain to be seen.