President Donald Trump has praised a U.S. military strike that killed 11 suspected members of the Tren de Aragua narco-terrorist group, calling the operation a necessary measure to protect the United States from the influx of narcotics. The strike, which targeted a drug-laden Venezuelan vessel in the southern Caribbean, was accompanied by a video release and framed by Trump as an example of the U.S. taking decisive action to combat drug trafficking. In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has denounced the attack, calling it a ‘military threat’ and asserting that the U.S. is attempting to destabilize Venezuela.
The Trump administration, which has designated several drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and deployed additional U.S. Navy assets to the region, is facing mounting criticism over its aggressive counter-narcotics efforts. According to Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., the vessel belonged to the Cartel of the Suns, a Venezuelan drug trafficking group led by Venezuela’s military leaders. The U.S. Southern Command has stated that the strike was part of a broader effort to disrupt drug smuggling routes and protect American interests. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has indicated that the U.S. military will continue its operations, warning that anyone involved in the trafficking of narcotics in the region will face severe consequences.
Maduro’s condemnation of the strike has been echoed by China, which has criticized the U.S. military buildup off the coast of Venezuela as an act of foreign interference in regional affairs. The incident has intensified the already strained relationship between the United States and Venezuela, with the latter accusing the former of seeking regime change through military action. While the Trump administration maintains that its actions are aimed at protecting American citizens from the dangers of drug trafficking, critics argue that the approach could further escalate tensions in the region.