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The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is said to have carried out a drone attack on a coastal port in Venezuela at the beginning of this month. This represents the first confirmed case of the U.S. directly targeting a location inside Venezuelan territory, sparking worries that hostilities between the two countries might increase.

CNN reported, based on confidential sources, that the CIA conducted an aerial strike on a secluded dock along Venezuela’s coast using drones earlier this month. It stated, “This is believed to be the first instance where the U.S. has directly targeted a location within Venezuelan territory.” According to reports, the U.S. government determined that the facility served as a base for the Venezuelan criminal organization ‘Tren de Aragua,’ used for storing and shipping drugs by sea for global distribution. No injuries were reported, as there were no individuals at the site during the attack.

Two accounts stated that U.S. special operations forces offered intelligence support, although the U.S. Special Operations Command refuted this, saying, “We did not assist in this operation, including with intelligence.” The CIA also chose not to respond.

One report indicated that although the operation had some success in destroying the facility and ships, its effect may have been mainly symbolic, considering there are several ports utilized for drug trafficking. The event reportedly did not immediately attract major attention inside Venezuela.

A drone attack took place during the Trump administration’s heightened efforts to target Venezuela’s left-wing authoritarian government led by Nicolás Maduro. Considering the drug problem as a national security issue, the Trump administration has characterized the battle against drugs as an actual “war,” consistently claiming the validity of military actions. The U.S. Navy’s biggest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrived in the Caribbean Sea north of Venezuela last month.

Starting in September, the U.S. Department of Defense has been sinking vessels it classified as “drug carriers” in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, close to Central and South America. It has also intercepted oil tankers moving to and from Venezuela. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently likened drug trafficking groups to the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda in a speech, highlighting the U.S. dedication to ongoing targeted strikes similar to the “war on terror.”

On the 26th, U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a radio interview that “we destroyed a significant site from which vessels were leaving” two days earlier, while talking about U.S. military actions aimed at preventing drug trafficking from Central and South America. Although he did not specify the country, the comment was seen as implying the strike focused on a land-based location in Venezuela.

On the 12th, during a press conference in the White House Oval Office, Trump revealed that ground operations against drug cartels in Central and South America have begun, emphasizing that these actions will not be restricted to Venezuela. He remarked, “It doesn’t have to be Venezuela. Anyone smuggling drugs into our country will be targeted.”

Venezuela, governed by left-wing leaders for almost three decades starting with Hugo Chávez’s time, has kept strong relationships with China and Russia, acting as a leading force against American interests in the region. Because of this setup, the U.S. sees the Venezuela situation not just as a drug or regional problem but as an essential element in limiting Chinese power.

The Venezuelan authorities have not provided an official statement regarding the air strike. Maduro has been recently observed participating in end-of-year events, interacting with his followers, and performing on stage. The Wall Street Journal, WSJ, noted that the U.S. pressure efforts against Venezuela have escalated to a “substantial level.”