The US military struck a vessel on Tuesday suspected of transporting illegal narcotics from Venezuela, killing 11 people, according to US President Donald Trump. This was the first known operation since the recent deployment of US warships to the southern Caribbean under Trump’s administration.
The President informed reporters at the White House, “We just, over the last few minutes, literally shot out a boat.” He added that there were “a lot of drugs” aboard the vessel.
He said, “We have a lot of drugs pouring into our country, coming in for a long time … These came out of Venezuela.”
Trump later posted a video on his Truth Social platform that appeared to show a speedboat exploding and catching fire, captured by overhead drones.
“The strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action. No US Forces were harmed in this strike,” Trump confirmed.
He also identified the crew as members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which was designated a terrorist group by the US in February. Trump reiterated claims that Tren de Aragua was controlled by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, although Caracas denies these allegations.
Venezuelan Communications Minister Freddy Nanez suggested that the video shared by Trump might have been fabricated using artificial intelligence. No signs of manipulations have been found, reports news agencies, though further verification is ongoing.
The specifics of the attack are yet to be disclosed by the Pentagon, which includes details about the drugs onboard or the quantity, as well as the way the strike was carried out.
The decision to destroy a suspected drug-laden vessel instead of apprehending the crew is highly unusual and reminiscent of US tactics against militant groups like al Qaeda.
“’Being suspected of carrying drugs’ doesn’t carry a death sentence,” said Adam Isacson, Director for Defense Oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, on X.
In recent weeks, the US has sent warships to the southern Caribbean in line with Trump’s pledge to intensify efforts against drug cartels. Tuesday’s strike seems to be the first major military operation in this new effort.
Currently, seven US warships and one nuclear-powered attack submarine are either in the region or expected soon, carrying over 4,500 sailors and Marines. This deployment exceeds typical operations in the Caribbean region.
The US military has also been conducting surveillance flights over international waters with P-8 spy planes, according to US officials.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “These particular drugs were probably headed to Trinidad or some other country in the Caribbean.” He also emphasised that Trump’s focus on drug cartels was part of a broader strategy to combat trafficking into the US.
Trump’s comments, particularly his criticism of Maduro, have raised concerns in Caracas that the US may be targeting the Venezuelan government itself. Last month, the US increased its reward to $50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and organised crime.
Venezuelan officials maintain that Tren de Aragua was dismantled during a 2023 prison raid and is no longer active in the country.
