The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) carried out a drone attack on a port facility in Venezuela last week, they revealed to CNN people informed about the action. The operation, which had already been mentioned by President Donald Trump on two occasions in recent days, although without details, was possibly the first US attack into Venezuelan territory, suggesting the beginning of a more aggressive phase in the American pressure campaign against the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro.
Last Friday (26), Trump stated in an interview with the radio station WABC that the US had demolished “a large facility” in Venezuela two days earlier. Asked again about the matter on Monday (29) by journalists, the Republican detailed that there had been a “big explosion in the port area where the vessels were loaded with drugs.” “We have hit all boats, and now we have hit the area – that deployment area no longer exists,” said the American president, who declined to comment on whether the attack was conducted by the military or the CIA.
According to the investigation of the CNNthe target of the attack was a pier where American authorities believe the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang stored and prepared narcotics to transport to boats. According to sources, the action was successful, destroying the installation and its vessels. The place would also be empty and therefore there were no injuries.
Two different sources revealed to the broadcaster that US Special Operations Forces provided intelligence support to the operation, which Colonel Allie Weiskopf, spokeswoman for the US Special Operations Command, denied.
The Venezuelan regime did not comment on the attack or Trump’s statements. The White House and CIA also did not comment on the issue.
In October, Trump authorized the American intelligence agency to carry out “lethal” operations in Venezuela. The following month, Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello accused the CIA of being part of a plot to kill Maduro, which the US denied.
