U.S. President Donald Trump. EPA Yonhap News

U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested for the first time the possibility of an attack targeting ground objectives in Venezuela.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 28th (local time), President Trump said in a radio interview released on the same day, while mentioning U.S. military operations to block drug smuggling from Central and South America, "We eliminated a large facility from which ships depart two days ago."

Although President Trump did not mention specific country names, government officials stated that he was referring to drug-related facilities in Venezuela.

However, government officials also avoided providing detailed explanations regarding the exact nature, location, and operational methods of the attack targets.

If President Trump's remarks are confirmed as true, it would mark the first instance of striking a land-based target since military tensions with Venezuela escalated.

President Trump ordered the use of military force against cartels in Venezuela, including the Tenedeara (TdA), after declaring war on drug cartels earlier this year.

Since then, the U.S. military has been conducting military operations against vessels suspected of transporting drugs in areas such as the Caribbean Sea.

At least 105 people are known to have died as a result of these operations.

In addition, President Trump suggested the possibility of expanding military operations, which have been conducted in waters near Venezuela since early this month, to target ground objectives in Venezuela.

Consequently, speculation is also spreading about the possibility of the United States conducting military operations with the aim of regime change in Venezuela.

In particular, the Trump administration issued an ultimatum to President Nicolas Maduro, suggesting that he "resign immediately and go into exile," but President Maduro reportedly refused.

According to Trump administration officials, the current U.S. military operations, focused on maritime strikes, were originally planned in two phases.

The second phase, which has not been disclosed to the media, is said to include attacks on drug facilities within Venezuela.

Previously, President Trump stated that he had authorized the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to develop plans for covert operations within Venezuela.

Regarding the CIA's operational details, only sabotage or psychological warfare have been mentioned, and the exact details have not been disclosed.

A CV-22 Osprey transport aircraft of a U.S. special forces unit undergoing maintenance in Puerto Rico. Reuters Yonhap News