President Donald Trump asserts that the US has carried out a strike against a drug-carrying vessel in the southern Caribbean, claiming the operation killed 11 Narcoterrorists linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
According to Trump, the vessel was in international waters transporting narcotics destined for the US. The military action follows increased pressure from the Trump administration on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, including a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest on drug trafficking charges. Maduro has publicly vowed to resist any US military intervention.
During a press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump stated that US forces had targeted the boat, leading to significant losses for those onboard. He highlighted the potential danger of such drug shipments to the US, posting on his social media platform that the strike should serve as a warning to others involved in drug trafficking.
The initial strike was followed by video evidence shared by Trump, displaying a motorboat in flames. Venezuelan officials, however, have dismissed the authenticity of this footage, suggesting it may have been digitally manipulated.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the strike targeted a vessel operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization. While the specific drugs aboard the vessel remain unconfirmed, the US military is accelerating its operations in the region, bolstering military presence with additional naval vessels and personnel.
This escalation stresses the administration's intent to combat drug trafficking from Venezuela, which has been flagged as a significant concern under the current US leadership.
