In a bold move against international drug trafficking, President Donald Trump revealed that U.S. military forces conducted a targeted strike on a Venezuelan boat carrying illegal narcotics, marking the second such operation under his administration.
According to Breitbart, this latest strike, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals identified as violent narcoterrorists, underscores the ongoing U.S. campaign to disrupt drug cartels threatening national security.
The Trump administration has intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking from Latin America, particularly focusing on Venezuelan cartels. Back in August, the U.S. deployed three Aegis guided-missile destroyers near Venezuelan waters to monitor and address threats posed by these criminal networks. This strategic positioning laid the groundwork for subsequent military actions in the region.
At the start of September, Trump announced a prior U.S. military operation that destroyed a Venezuelan vessel carrying drugs, leading to the deaths of 11 members of the Tren de Aragua cartel. That operation targeted a boat en route to the United States, highlighting the direct threat these shipments pose to American communities. The success of that mission signaled a firm stance against the flow of illegal substances into the country.
The most recent strike, announced by Trump, took place in international waters within the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility, a region overseen by U.S. Southern Command. This operation targeted another Venezuelan vessel transporting narcotics, identified as being operated by violent drug trafficking groups. The strike resulted in the deaths of three male individuals, whom Trump described as part of dangerous narcoterrorist networks.
Speaking on the operation, Trump emphasized the severity of the threat posed by these cartels. “This morning, on my Orders, U.S. Military Forces conducted a SECOND Kinetic Strike against positively identified, extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” Trump stated. “The Strike occurred while these confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela were in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics (A DEADLY WEAPON POISONING AMERICANS!) headed to the U.S.,” he added.
Trump underscored the broader implications of these trafficking operations on American safety. “These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to U.S. National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital U.S. Interests,” he declared. The president’s remarks reflect a deep concern for the devastating effects of drug abuse on communities across the nation.
In detailing the results of the strike, Trump confirmed the operation’s success in neutralizing the threat. “The Strike resulted in 3 male terrorists killed in action. No U.S. Forces were harmed in this Strike,” he said.
“BE WARNED — IF YOU ARE TRANSPORTING DRUGS THAT CAN KILL AMERICANS, WE ARE HUNTING YOU! The illicit activities by these cartels have wrought DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES ON AMERICAN COMMUNITIES FOR DECADES, killing millions of American Citizens. NO LONGER,” Trump warned.
Following the announcement, Venezuelan Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez publicly challenged the authenticity of a video showing the strike on the drug-carrying vessel. Ñáñez, who also holds the title of Vice President of Communications and Culture under socialist leader Nicolás Maduro, labeled the footage as fabricated. He offered no evidence to substantiate his claim that the video was not genuine.
Ñáñez took to social media platforms to dismiss the video shortly after its release, calling it “fake.” His posts aimed to counter the narrative presented by the U.S. government regarding the military action. The minister’s quick response suggests an effort to shape public perception of the incident.
Additionally, Ñáñez linked the allegedly false video to broader accusations made by Maduro against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He claimed the footage served as evidence supporting Maduro’s earlier criticisms, though specifics about the timing of those statements were not provided. This rhetoric adds a layer of political tension to the already complex situation between the two nations.
The U.S. government remains steadfast in its mission to curb the influence of drug cartels originating from Venezuela and other regions. These military strikes are part of a larger strategy to protect American citizens from the harmful effects of illegal narcotics. Trump’s administration continues to prioritize national security by targeting the sources of these dangerous shipments.
The repeated military actions near Venezuelan waters signal a heightened U.S. focus on disrupting drug trafficking networks in Latin America. Such operations could strain diplomatic relations with Venezuela, especially given the public denials from Venezuelan officials. The ongoing conflict over narcotics trafficking remains a critical issue in U.S. foreign policy.