Tensions between the US and Venezuela rose after the US reportedly blew up a drug smuggling vessel operated by a Venezuelan gang and a Venezuelan fighter aircraft flew near a US naval vessel in international waters (CBS News, USA Today). Both the strike and acknowledgment must occur during the question's open period to count and will close upon the acknowledgment. Targets in territorial waters will not count, and "the territory of Venezuela" refers to the internationally recognized territory of Venezuela. Accidents, such as stray ordnance falling onto Venezuelan territory, will not count. Actions not executed by the US military will not count (e.g., CIA operations). A public acknowledgment that a strike has taken place is required, but whether that strike has been executed by the US military will be determined using both the public acknowledgment and credible, open-source reporting.

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The question closed "Between 8 December 2025 and 8 March 2026" with a closing date of 3 January 2026.

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