The U.S. military executed a lethal strike against a Venezuelan drug vessel linked to the Tren de Aragua narco-terrorist organization, killing 11 suspected members. President Donald Trump disclosed the operation in a social media post, stating that the strike took place in the southern Caribbean waters, where the vessel was allegedly transporting narcotics to U.S. shores. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the strike, emphasizing its precision and its location in the southern Caribbean, where the vessel had departed from Venezuela.
The attack, which was described as a ‘precision strike’ by a senior defense official, followed claims by Trump that many drug boats were emerging from Venezuela, and that the U.S. had taken action to neutralize this threat. Trump’s post included the video of the strike, which showed the vessel being destroyed and the subsequent aftermath. The Tren de Aragua, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, is under the control of Nicolas Maduro, according to Trump, and is responsible for acts of violence and terror across the United States and the Western Hemisphere.
The operation has drawn international attention, with China condemning the U.S. military buildup near the Venezuelan coast as an act of foreign interference in regional affairs. Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has not yet issued a public statement regarding the strike. The event has raised questions about the U.S. military’s involvement in counter-narcotics efforts and the potential for increased tensions in the region, especially as the situation in Venezuela continues to be a focal point for diplomatic and military attention.