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Maduro has responded defiantly, vowing that Venezuela would resist any attempted US military intervention.
In July, Trump signed a directive authorising the use of military force against Latin American drug cartels (AP/File)
During his Oval Office address to the press on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced a military strike against a “drug-carrying boat” coming from Venezuela. Later, he posted on Truth Social to provide more details about the incident, stating that the strike in the southern Caribbean resulted in the deaths of 11 “Narcoterrorists,” with no US personnel injured in the operation.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the US had “just, over the last few minutes, literally shot out … a drug-carrying boat.” He also revealed that he had been briefed on the strike by General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasising the rapid response by the US military.
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In his Truth Social post, Trump explained that the military operation targeted members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a group linked to drug trafficking and organised crime. The President underscored that the vessel was operating in international waters while transporting illegal narcotics bound for the US, justifying the military intervention.
This strike comes amid escalating military and political pressure from the Trump administration against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In recent weeks, the US has intensified its campaign, including the announcement of a $50 million (£37 million) reward in August for information leading to Maduro’s arrest on drug-trafficking charges.
Maduro has responded defiantly, vowing that Venezuela would resist any attempted US military intervention. Additionally, in July, Trump signed a secret directive authorising the use of military force against Latin American drug cartels labelled as terrorist organisations, including the Venezuelan group targeted in this operation.
Trump’s Truth Social post was accompanied by a grainy aerial video showing a motorboat speeding across choppy waters before suddenly bursting into flames, providing visual confirmation of the strike.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also weighed in on the incident, posting on X that “today the US military conducted a lethal strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug vessel which had departed from Venezuela and was being operated by a designated narco-terrorist organisation.”
Maduro has sharply responded to the US, warning Trump to “take care because Marco Rubio wants to stain your hands with blood, with South American, Caribbean blood [and] Venezuelan blood,” underscoring the high tensions between the two countries.
This strike is the first known US military action against alleged drug smugglers since the administration increased its military presence in the Caribbean last month.
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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
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