Trump bombs Venezuelan land for first time: Is war imminent?

The United States has carried out its first known land-based strike on Venezuelan territory, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Caracas and raising fresh concerns about the risk of a wider conflict.

US President Donald Trump said the strike targeted a docking facility allegedly used to load boats carrying narcotics. Speaking at a news conference in Florida, Trump described a “major explosion” at the dock, claiming it was part of an ongoing campaign against drug trafficking. He did not specify the exact location of the strike or which US agency carried it out, though US media later cited sources suggesting the CIA was involved.

Venezuelan authorities have not officially confirmed the incident, and no independent verification has been provided. Shortly after Trump’s announcement, the US military said it had also carried out a separate strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing two people, without disclosing further details.

Relations between the US and Venezuela have deteriorated rapidly in recent months. Since September, Washington has launched multiple strikes on vessels it claims are linked to drug smuggling, seized Venezuelan oil tankers, and imposed a partial naval blockade near Venezuela’s coast. Caracas has strongly rejected the accusations, calling the actions illegal under international law and a violation of its sovereignty.

Analysts say the reported strike on land represents a significant escalation. Some suggest it could be intended as a show of force aimed at pressuring the Venezuelan government, while others warn it increases the risk of miscalculation and open conflict. Legal experts have also questioned the legality of the US actions, particularly without international or congressional approval.

The situation has heightened fears of a broader confrontation as both sides remain locked in a standoff with no clear path toward de-escalation.