US President Trump stated on the 2nd that the US military launched a 'lethal strike' in the Caribbean against a drug-laden vessel from Venezuela, killing 11 terrorists. This move is seen as Washington's first substantive military action in its intensified crackdown on drug trafficking activities.
At a White House press conference, Trump said: "Just a few moments ago, we sank a drug trafficking vessel." He added that he had ordered the military operation on Tuesday morning: "These drugs came from Venezuela and have been flooding into our country for a long time. There will be more actions." He also noted that the vessel was sailing in international waters at the time, preparing to deliver drugs to the US, and that the killed terrorists belonged to the organization 'Tren de Aragua,' controlled by Venezuelan President Maduro.
Trump later posted on social media, with a video showing the US military striking the drug trafficking vessel. In the footage, a fast-moving vessel suddenly explodes and catches fire.
US Department of Defense officials subsequently confirmed that earlier that day, a 'lethal strike' operation had been carried out in the Caribbean against a Venezuelan vessel suspected of drug trafficking, emphasizing that the ship was linked to a drug trafficking group designated as a terrorist organization by Washington.
US Secretary of State Rubio also issued a statement, indicating that the targeted vessel was controlled by a terrorist group and is one of the primary sources of drug flooding into the US mainland.
Since Trump returned to the White House, he has pledged to launch a larger-scale crackdown on drug lords in Central and South America. As a result, the US has deployed several warships in the Caribbean region, aiming to cut off drug routes and curb the rampant cross-border drug trade. However, this move could further escalate diplomatic tensions between the US and the Venezuelan regime. Washington has long accused Maduro’s government of colluding with drug groups, while Venezuela has repeatedly refuted the US accusations as political smears. Maduro criticized the US for sending troops to the Caribbean under the pretext of drug enforcement as absurd.
At present, the US Department of Defense has yet to disclose specific details of the operation, such as the means of force used, casualties, or the amount of drugs involved.