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. No casualties were reported in the attack, but the specific date, time, and location remain unknown. The Venezuelan government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

The situation unfolds against a backdrop of long-standing political and economic instability in Venezuela. Maduro's leadership has been widely criticized internationally for alleged human rights abuses, corruption, and mismanagement of the country's vast oil reserves, leading to a severe economic crisis marked by hyperinflation, shortages of basic goods, and mass emigration. The United States, along with several other countries, has refused to recognize Maduro's legitimacy, recognizing instead opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the interim president, although Guaidó's influence within Venezuela has waned significantly in recent years.

Trump's administration had previously imposed sanctions on Venezuela, targeting key sectors of the economy and individuals associated with the Maduro regime. The current military pressure campaign represents a significant escalation of U.S. involvement. According to a report by South America correspondent Tiago Rogero, U.S. wargames have played out scenarios for Maduro's fall, but none of them ended well for Venezuela.

The Tren de Aragua, allegedly targeted in the drone strike, is a powerful transnational criminal organization that originated in Venezuelan prisons and has expanded its operations throughout South America. The gang is involved in a wide range of illicit activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and human smuggling.

The incident has sparked international concern, with some countries expressing fears of further destabilization in the region. Critics of U.S. policy argue that military intervention could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and lead to a protracted conflict. Supporters, on the other hand, maintain that strong action is necessary to restore democracy and stability in Venezuela. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further escalation depending on the response from both the Maduro government and the United States.