December 30th, 2025 - Inside the C.I.A.’s Drone Strike in Venezuela

The United States carried out a decisive drone strike last week inside Venezuela, marking the first confirmed U.S. operation on Venezuelan soil since President Trump launched his pressure campaign against the regime of Nicolás Maduro. The strike underscored the administration’s willingness to move beyond rhetoric and take direct action against criminal networks operating under the protection of the Maduro government.

President Trump referenced the operation publicly in recent days, emphasizing its success without initially disclosing that it was conducted by the C.I.A. According to U.S. officials briefed on the mission, the target was a dock facility believed to be used by Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang, to store narcotics and prepare shipments for maritime trafficking routes.

Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump described the strike as a blow to the operational heart of drug smuggling activity. He said the explosion destroyed the area where boats were loaded with drugs, effectively eliminating a key logistics hub. The president framed the action as a necessary step to protect U.S. interests and disrupt criminal enterprises tied to narco-terrorism.

The operation marked the first known U.S. land strike in Venezuela, following weeks of warnings from Mr. Trump that he was prepared to escalate pressure if necessary. The strike only became public after the president discussed it in a radio interview, reinforcing his administration’s message that the United States would no longer tolerate inaction against hostile actors exploiting Venezuelan territory.

The mission was authorized as covert action, reflecting Mr. Trump’s broader strategy of empowering U.S. intelligence agencies to confront threats decisively. While the C.I.A. has largely stepped back from direct strike operations in recent years, it has a long record of conducting targeted missions against high-risk threats when national security demands it. U.S. officials declined to comment on the specific drone used, though military assets remain positioned throughout the region.

The strike fits squarely within the administration’s wider campaign to isolate and weaken the Maduro regime. What began as a counternarcotics effort has expanded into a comprehensive strategy aimed at dismantling criminal networks, restoring regional stability, and protecting American economic and security interests, including future access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves once legitimate governance is restored.

While the administration has made clear it will continue increasing pressure, Mr. Trump has deliberately kept future steps flexible. Maintaining a strong military posture in the Caribbean sends a clear deterrent message, even as questions remain about the regime’s endgame. For now, the strike signals that under President Trump, U.S. warnings are backed by action.

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Example: The young singer has the kind of charisma that turns a performer into a star.

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