Nearly a week after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced what he described as the first U.S. ground strike in a four-month-long military pressure campaign against Venezuela, details surrounding the event remain scarce. CNN and The New York Times reported late Monday that the CIA allegedly used a drone to target a port facility purportedly used by the Tren de Aragua street gang.

The alleged drone strike marks a new phase in the ongoing shadow war between the U.S. and Venezuela, where Nicolás Maduro continues to cling to power despite increasing internal and external pressures. The date, time, and precise location of the attack remain unconfirmed, and no casualties were reported.

The incident is the latest in a series of escalating actions taken by the U.S. against the Maduro regime, which Washington accuses of corruption, human rights abuses, and undermining democracy. The Trump administration has long maintained a policy of "maximum pressure" on Venezuela, including sanctions targeting key sectors of the Venezuelan economy, such as oil.

The situation in Venezuela has been marked by a deep economic crisis, hyperinflation, and widespread shortages of food and medicine, leading to a mass exodus of Venezuelans to neighboring countries. According to the United Nations, more than seven million Venezuelans have fled the country in recent years, creating one of the largest migration crises in the world.

The U.S. has also supported Venezuelan opposition figures, including Juan Guaidó, who declared himself interim president in 2019, a move recognized by Washington and several other countries. However, Maduro has managed to maintain the support of the Venezuelan military and key international allies, including Russia, China, and Cuba.

The alleged drone strike raises concerns about the potential for further escalation in the conflict and the impact on the Venezuelan people. Some analysts fear that a more direct U.S. military intervention could lead to a protracted and bloody conflict, with potentially destabilizing consequences for the entire region.

"U.S. wargames played out scenarios for Maduro's fall," according to a report by Tiago Rogero, South America correspondent. "None of them ended well for Venezuela."

The Venezuelan government has yet to officially comment on the alleged drone strike, but it has consistently condemned U.S. interference in its internal affairs. Maduro has accused the U.S. of seeking to overthrow his government and install a puppet regime.

The international community remains divided on how to address the crisis in Venezuela. Some countries advocate for dialogue and a negotiated solution, while others support stronger measures to pressure Maduro to step down. The situation is further complicated by the involvement of external actors with competing interests in the region.

As the shadow war between the U.S. and Venezuela intensifies, the future of the country remains uncertain. The Venezuelan people continue to suffer the consequences of the political and economic crisis, and the prospect of a peaceful resolution appears increasingly distant.