President Trump announced on Truth Social Friday that he had ordered a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel suspected of being linked to a designated terrorist organization engaged in narco-trafficking within the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility. The strike, which occurred in international waters, resulted in the deaths of three individuals, as confirmed by intelligence reports. Trump’s post included a video showing the moment the boat was struck and engulfed in flames, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to combating narcotics trafficking and terrorism.
The operation was part of a broader U.S. military campaign against Venezuelan drug cartels, with the second strike taking place just days after the administration launched its first targeted attack. The decision followed the designation of several drug cartel groups, including Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations in February, further intensifying efforts to disrupt illicit drug networks. Trump also criticized the drug trade, urging the public to stop selling narcotics and committing violence against Americans.
While the strike did not result in casualties among U.S. forces, it sparked responses from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who labeled the operation a threat to national sovereignty. This incident underscores the growing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela over regional drug trafficking and the administration’s aggressive stance against organized crime. The continued militarization of counter-narcotics efforts reflects a shift in U.S. policy toward more direct and assertive interventions in the region.