Republican Senator Marco Rubio has publicly endorsed the U.S. military’s decision to strike a suspected drug-smuggling vessel linked to Venezuela, despite facing backlash from Democratic lawmakers. Ron Vitiello, a senior advisor at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, has also publicly backed the operation, emphasizing its role in disrupting illicit narcotics networks.
Vitiello, speaking on ‘Fox News Live,’ described the strike as a ‘necessary action’ to combat drug trafficking and the associated violent crime. He noted that the operation targeted a vessel believed to be carrying significant quantities of narcotics, which poses a threat to national security. The move has drawn criticism from Democrats, who argue that such actions could escalate tensions with Venezuela and potentially harm diplomatic relations.
Rubio, who has been a vocal critic of Venezuela’s government, framed the strike as part of a broader strategy to weaken the country’s drug trafficking infrastructure. He reiterated the importance of strengthening border security and combating transnational organized crime. The U.S. government has previously labeled certain Ecuadorian gangs as terrorist organizations, a designation that Vitiello supported, indicating a continued effort to address regional criminal networks.