Trump confirms destruction of facility in Venezuela: Has the ground war begun?

In a new escalation of tensions between Washington and Caracas, US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that the United States had conducted a targeted operation that destroyed a marina and facility he described as a launching point for drug-smuggling boats from Venezuela. This announcement has intensified speculation about the possibility of US pressure escalating into a direct military confrontation or limited ground operations.

Details of the "Big Bang"

Trump told reporters in a firm tone, “There was a big explosion in the marina area where they load boats with drugs. We targeted all the boats, and then we targeted the site itself, and it no longer exists.” The US president indicated that the targeted site was on the coast, but declined to elaborate on operational details, refraining from clarifying whether the strike was carried out by regular military forces or the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and he also withheld the precise geographical location of the strike.

Trump's hints began last week in an interview with billionaire John Catsimatidis on WABC radio, where he said: "They have a big factory or a big facility where they send, you know, from where the boats launch... Two nights ago we destroyed it. We hit them very hard.".

Context of the tension: Maximum pressure campaign

This event cannot be separated from the broader context of deteriorating relations between the two countries. For years, the Trump administration has pursued a policy of “maximum pressure” against the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Washington accuses Maduro and his inner circle of running what is known as the “Cartel of the Suns,” a drug trafficking network operating between the United States and Europe. In March 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice formally indicted Maduro and other senior officials on charges of “narco-terrorism,” offering a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

Military and strategic dimensions

This alleged attack coincides with the deployment of US warships and destroyers to the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific since last April, as part of a large-scale counter-narcotics operation. These operations have reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 100 people and the seizure of vast quantities of contraband. Observers believe that targeting land-based facilities represents a significant shift in the rules of engagement, as previous operations were limited to maritime interception.

Expected effects and the Venezuelan position

For its part, Caracas categorically denies these accusations, asserting that the Trump administration is using the pretext of combating drug trafficking as a cover for imposing a naval blockade and strangling the Venezuelan economy in order to overthrow the regime and seize control of the country's vast oil reserves, the largest in the world. This escalation could drag the region into wider tensions, especially given the support Maduro receives from international powers such as Russia and China, which oppose US intervention in Latin American affairs.

While the Pentagon referred questions about Trump’s statements to the White House, the question remains whether this strike is a prelude to broader ground operations, or merely a strongly worded warning message within the ongoing cold war between the two countries.