"A massive explosion occurred at the dock where they load drugs onto vessels. We hit all the drug-carrying boats and that entire area. That location no longer exists," US President Donald Trump told reporters on 29/12, confirming a strike on Venezuelan territory.

Trump did not specify whether the operation was conducted by the US military or the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He also refrained from disclosing the exact region of the dock in Venezuela, only noting it was "along the coast."

AFP news agency reported this as the first time the US has attacked a target on Venezuelan mainland.

The Venezuelan government has not yet responded to the information regarding the strike.

US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida, on 29/12. Photo: AFP

When questioned about any dialogue with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro since their phone call in November, Trump indicated they had spoken "quite recently," though he added that "nothing significant" came of the discussion.

The US has steadily increased pressure on President Maduro's administration in recent months. Washington deployed military assets to the region, citing anti-drug missions. Since September, US military airstrikes on suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific have resulted in over 100 deaths.

In recent weeks, President Trump has repeatedly threatened to soon launch ground attacks targeting drug gangs in the region.

Maduro views these mobilizations as an indication of US intent to change the regime in Venezuela and to "seize the country's land and minerals."