January 1, US Strike Hits Venezuelan-Iranian Drone Hub

Wyatt’s Take

• Venezuela reached out for long-range drones under US pressure.
• The US targeted a key airbase with ties to Iran’s drone program.
• New sanctions hit Venezuelan and Iranian military cooperation.

Venezuela tried to get advanced Iranian drones while under the threat of US action. Not long after, the United States hit a Venezuelan airbase central to Iran’s drone efforts there.

Venezuela’s government looked to China and Iran for help against US pressure from President Trump. Iran’s work alongside Venezuela grew the threat in America’s own backyard.

In October, Caracas wrote to China for military help. Internal documents show Venezuela also wanted longer-range Iranian drones, putting US bases like Guantanamo Bay at risk.

“Iran has been very active in Venezuela,” said Fred Fleitz, a former CIA analyst.

He added, “They have no qualms about who they’ll do business with. They knew this was a narco-dictator… They did it because they wanted to undermine the United States.”

On January 3, U.S. Special Operations teams struck Venezuelan bases as part of the operation to capture Maduro. The El Libertador Air Base, tied to Iranian drone assembly, was hit, days after new US sanctions targeted both Venezuelan and Iranian entities involved in the drone program.

The sanctions list included companies assembling Mohajer drones, known for their long range. Reports show Venezuelan officials tried to get more drones and detection gear from Iran, aiming to bolster their reach as far as US military posts in the Caribbean.

Officials have not made clear if Iran supplied the drones before the US took action. After the raid, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed America’s unwillingness to tolerate Iran’s military involvement so close to home.

Rubio said, “In the 21st century, under the Trump Administration, we are not going to have a country like Venezuela… for Hezbollah, for Iran, and for every other malign influence in the world. That’s just not going to exist.”

Venezuela’s drone partnership with Iran has roots going back to 2012. A 20-year cooperation deal was inked in 2022, upping cooperation across the board, including defense and technology projects. Concerns remain about Iran’s growing activity in the Americas, including its links to groups like Hezbollah.

Stay informed about threats right outside our border. Don’t let foreign powers gamble with our safety.

Wyatt Matters

Keeping American families safe starts with facing threats nearby. When foreign regimes with bad intentions team up in our backyard, it’s time to take notice and demand strong leadership from those we elect.

Read the Full Report