Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) reported the seizure of more than 52,000 kilograms of illicit drugs in 2025, following nationwide operations targeting drug trafficking networks and irregular armed groups, with a concentration in the country’s western region.
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According to the FANB, a total of 52,885 kilograms of drugs were confiscated over the year in western Venezuela, as outlined in an official operational balance. Military authorities said the actions were part of sustained efforts against narcotrafficking structures operating along key territorial corridors.
Officials from the Western Strategic Defense Region (REDI Occidental) stated that trafficking groups attempted to move drugs illegally into the country through the states of Zulia, Falcón and Lara. As part of these operations, Venezuelan forces destroyed eight aircraft allegedly linked to drug trafficking in the Alto Orinoco area, strengthening border surveillance with Brazil.
Golpe contundente: Venezuela incauta más de 52 toneladas de droga en el occidente de su territorio durante 2025
📌La Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana de #Venezuela🇻🇪 asestó un golpe al narcotráfico en el occidente (Zulia, Falcón, Lara) del país durante el año 2025, logrando la… pic.twitter.com/0c5SEnJuRO
— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) December 31, 2025
The FANB said the operations were conducted in defense of sovereignty, the protection of the population and the guarantee of peace in the western region of the country, citing the role of the “popular-military-police fusion.”
In the Andean region, the armed forces reported the detection and destruction of “various logistical structures with relevant results,” leading to the seizure of two tons of drugs. In the Plains region, authorities reported the neutralization of 14 aircraft associated with drug trafficking, the confiscation of more than 1,400 kilograms of drugs, and the seizure of 80 firearms, 40 camps, 26 vessels and 23 laboratories. Four clandestine airstrips were also dismantled in Apure state as part of Operation Vuelvan Caras.
In eastern Venezuela, the Eastern Strategic Defense Region (REDI Oriental) reported the seizure of 2,058 kilograms of drugs, along with firearms, vessels and explosive devices, and the destruction of camps. Authorities said more than 7,000 individuals wanted for various crimes were placed at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The Strategic Defense Region of Guayana (REDI Guayana) reported the destruction of 25 camp-type structures, 35 illicit drug laboratories and the neutralization of 13 small aircraft. These operations also included the destruction of 125 camps linked to illegal mining, 424 motor pumps and the disabling of 49 mining rafts, as part of efforts against illicit mineral extraction.
The Maritime and Island Strategic Defense Region (REDIMAIN) said it seized and destroyed a significant quantity of illicit drugs and recovered material of judicial interest, as part of FANB actions described as aimed at defending sovereignty and providing comprehensive protection to the population.
The reported operations come amid heightened tensions with the United States, which recently deployed air and naval forces in the Caribbean under the stated objective of combating drug trafficking, a move that Caracas interprets as a threat and an attempt at political intervention.
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