President Donald Trump says the US has carried out a strike against a drug-carrying vessel in the southern Caribbean, killing 11 'Narcoterrorists'. He posted on social media that Tuesday's US military operation had targeted members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
Trump stated that the vessel was in international waters and was transporting illegal narcotics bound for the US. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has increased military and political pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, including offering a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest on drug-trafficking charges. Maduro has sworn to protect Venezuela against any attempted US military intervention.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump described how US forces 'shot out' a 'drug-carrying boat' in the vicinity of Venezuela, saying, 'A lot of drugs in that boat.'
On his Truth Social platform, Trump noted, 'Earlier this morning, on my Orders, US Military Forces conducted a kinetic strike against positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility.' He added, 'The strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action. No US Forces were harmed in this strike. Please let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America. BEWARE!'
The president's post included a grainy aerial video of a motor boat speeding over choppy waters before it ignites in flames. In response, Venezuela's Communications Minister suggested that the footage was artificially created, but provided no evidence for this claim.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the military operation via a post on social media, confirming the strike against a drug vessel linked to a designated narco-terrorist organization.
The exact drugs that the vessel was allegedly transporting remain unidentified, but US authorities have previously designated Tren de Aragua and other Venezuelan groups as terrorist organizations connected to drug trafficking.
Recently, the US military has bolstered its forces in the southern Caribbean, including an increase in naval vessels and personnel. This strategic move reflects the Trump administration's readiness to employ military measures to address drug flow issues into the United States. Trump affirmed, 'There's more where that came from,' in regard to the potential for further military actions.
The Venezuelan government has condemned recent US military deployments and voicing threats of retaliation, with Maduro declaring a 'republic in arms' if the US attacks, branding American military posturing as a significant threat to the continent.
