CNN revealed the details of the first-ever US strike on the territory of Venezuela

The CIA in early December struck a drone at a port facility on the coast of Venezuela, CNN reports, citing sources. This is the first known case when the United States attacked a target on Venezuelan territory, President Donald Trump had previously told about it, without giving details.

According to the TV channel, the drone strike hit a remote dock, which, according to the American authorities, was used by the Venezuelan group Tren de Aragua to store drugs and load them onto ships. There was no one at the facility at the time of the attack, there were no casualties.

According to CNN, US special forces provided intelligence support for the operation, which confirms their continued participation in campaigns in the region.

On December 26, Trump announced that the United States had destroyed a certain "large object from where the ships come from." A few days later, at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he announced a powerful explosion "in the port area where boats are loaded with drugs." At the same time, the Republican refused to confirm the data on the CIA's involvement in the attack. In October, he authorized the intelligence agency to conduct covert operations in Venezuela.

One of the TV channel's sources said that the strike is largely symbolic: although the facility was destroyed, it is only one of the many docks used by drug traffickers. According to the interlocutor, the attack almost did not attract attention in the Venezuela. However, CNN does not rule out a significant aggravation between Washington and Caracas.

The United States, which has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, has been attacking Venezuelan vessels since September. The Trump administration attributes the campaign against Venezuela to the fight against drug trafficking, but White House chief of Staff Susie Wiles admitted in an interview with Vanity Fair that attacks on boats and infrastructure are also aimed at increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro himself believes that the United States is using the fight against drug trafficking as an excuse to try to overthrow him, RBC reminds.