November 3, 2026 · Foreign Policy, War & National Security
· Military action
Developing
U.S. Provided Drones and Intelligence for Venezuelan Strike That Killed Up to 23, Officials Say
Venezuela's military bombed a camp linked to the National Liberation Army (ELN) in Apure state on Oct. 30, killing as many as 23 people, according to the regional rights group FundaRedes. The New York Times reported Nov. 3 that the strike "received U.S. support in the form of drones and intelligence," citing four unnamed U.S. officials; the paper did not say who flew the drones. Neither government has confirmed the U.S. role on the record.
If accurate, direct American assistance to a foreign strike with a death toll this high would extend Washington's deepening, largely covert military role in Venezuela beyond the acknowledged January operation that captured Nicolas Maduro.
Reporting on the U.S. role rests on anonymous officials cited by one outlet; no agency has confirmed it publicly.
If accurate, direct American assistance to a foreign strike with a death toll this high would extend Washington's deepening, largely covert military role in Venezuela beyond the acknowledged January operation that captured Nicolas Maduro.
Reporting on the U.S. role rests on anonymous officials cited by one outlet; no agency has confirmed it publicly.
Sources
- US Reportedly Took Part in a Bombing Operation Against the ELN in Venezuela — Colombia One, 2026-11-04