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President Trump meets Israeli PM Netanyahu
President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside of Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump took questions from reporters about Venezuela, Iran & Russia.
A "major explosion" occurred after the United States "hit" a facility in Venezuela as President Donald Trump continues to wage a pressure campaign on the South American country.
Dig deeper:
The president, who called radio host John Catsimatidis during a program on WABC radio on Friday, was discussing U.S. strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, which have killed at least 105 people in 29 known strikes since early September.
During a joint press conference between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Trump told reporters that a "major explosion" occurred following the attack.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a luncheon where he hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago club on Dec. 29, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
What they're saying:
"Well it doesn’t matter but there was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs," Trump said on Monday.
Trump did not offer any additional details in the interview, including what kind of attack may have occurred. The Pentagon on Monday referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Covert operations in Venezuela
The backstory:
In October, Trump confirmed he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. The agency did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Monday.
Along with the strikes, the U.S. has sent warships, built up military forces in the region, seized two oil tankers and pursued a third.
The Trump administration has said it is in "armed conflict" with drug cartels and seeking to stop the flow of narcotics into the United States.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from power.
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said in an interview with Vanity Fair published this month that Trump "wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro ‘cries uncle.’"
The Source: Information for this article was taken from reporting by The Associated Press and a joint press conference with President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. This story was reported from San Jose.