US-led Strike Warns of Escalation in Venezuela Conflict

By John Pranay (Editor)

A US-led drone strike targeted a port facility in Venezuela on Christmas Eve, according to a government official speaking to The Intercept. The attack, allegedly authorized by former President Donald Trump, has raised concerns about the Trump administration's disregard for international law and congressional oversight. The immediate toll of the strike remains unclear, but the incident has sparked a heated debate about the US role in Venezuela's ongoing crisis.

The conflict in Venezuela has been ongoing for years, with the US and other nations backing opposing factions. The Trump administration, in particular, has been vocal about its support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who has been recognized as the country's interim president by several countries. In 2020, the US imposed sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), in an effort to pressure the Maduro government. The CIA has a long history of involvement in Latin America, with a 2023 analysis finding that CIA-sponsored regime change in the region has led to significant declines in democracy and human rights.

• 2020: US imposes sanctions on PDVSA

• 2023: CIA analysis finds regime change in Latin America has led to significant declines in democracy and human rights

• September 2025: Trump claims US troops engaged in combat with Tren de Aragua in Washington, D.C.

• December 24, 2025: US-led drone strike targets port facility in Venezuela

• December 30, 2025: The Intercept reports on CIA's alleged role in the Christmas Eve strike

The US has a long history of intervening in Latin America, with at least 41 instances of intervention between 1898 and 1994. The CIA has been involved in several regime change operations in the region, including the 1954 coup in Guatemala and the 1973 coup in Chile. The US has also supported opposition groups in Venezuela, including the Tren de Aragua, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the US.

The US Congress is set to hold hearings on the Trump administration's foreign policy in the coming weeks, including its handling of the Venezuela crisis. The Biden administration has taken a more cautious approach to Venezuela, with a focus on diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. However, the US has maintained its support for Guaidó and has imposed sanctions on Venezuelan officials.

The pace of change in US foreign policy has accelerated in recent years, with the Trump administration's aggressive approach to Venezuela and other countries in the region. This trend is likely to continue under the Biden administration, which has maintained many of Trump's policies. However, the US has a long history of intervening in Latin America, and the consequences of such actions are often devastating for the local population. This suggests that the US should take a more nuanced approach to foreign policy, one that prioritizes diplomacy and cooperation over military intervention and regime change.

Overall, the medium-term sentiment around this story is Bearish.

1. CIA Was Behind Venezuela Drone Strike, Source Says — https://theintercept.com/2025/12/30/cia-venezuela-drone-strike-dock-tren-de-aragua/

Methodology: This analysis combines real-time data aggregation from manually selected global sources with advanced AI synthesis, engineered to provide neutral and data-driven insights.