Venezuela’s War Drone Factory Under Iranian Control

Venezuela’s drone factory, built on Iranian designs, remains under the supervision of Iranian experts, according to a report by *Iran International* citing the *Miami Herald*. Amid regional tensions fueled by U.S. warships deployed in the Caribbean, these experts are reportedly restricting local workers’ access to the facility without prior approval, raising questions about the nature of operations being conducted there.

The drone program began after Caracas signed a military agreement with Tehran in 2006. Iran’s Quds Aviation Industries supplied assembly kits, and Venezuelan engineers trained in Iran, alongside Iranian teams, later joined operations at the El Libertador airbase in Maracay. The program produces intelligence, armed, and kamikaze drones modeled on Iranian systems.

A source, speaking anonymously to the *Miami Herald*, revealed that Iran’s involvement was critical, as Venezuela could not independently develop drones. Even today, Iranians control the facility, with Venezuelan workers barred from entering without their permission. The *Miami Herald* interviewed half a dozen individuals with knowledge of Caracas-Tehran ties and reviewed Venezuelan government documents, some signed by former President Hugo Chávez. These documents show investments worth tens of millions of dollars in the drone factory under the partnership. Some projects are disguised as civilian initiatives, such as bicycle or tractor factories, to produce war drones covertly. Sources claim Chávez sought weapons to challenge U.S. military dominance, leading to the collaboration with Iran. Meanwhile, tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. have escalated. On Thursday, two Venezuelan military aircraft flew near a U.S. Navy ship in international waters, an action the U.S. Defense Department called “highly provocative.” The Pentagon issued a warning, stating that the Venezuelan planes flew over the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham, disrupting U.S. counter-narcotics and anti-terrorism operations.

In a post on the X platform, the Pentagon added, “Two Maduro regime military aircraft flew near a U.S. Navy ship in international waters. Venezuela is strongly warned against further attempts to interfere with U.S. military-led counter-narcotics and anti-terrorism operations.”