The United States military carried out a deadly strike Tuesday on a Venezuelan vessel accused of transporting narcotics, killing 11 people in the first such operation since Washington deployed warships to the southern Caribbean.
President Donald Trump confirmed the action during remarks at the White House. “We just, over the last few minutes, literally shot out a boat, a drug-carrying boat, a lot of drugs in that boat,” Trump said. “And there’s more where that came from. We have a lot of drugs pouring into our country, coming in for a long time … These came out of Venezuela.”
He later posted a video on Truth Social, appearing to show drone footage of a speedboat exploding at sea before catching fire. “The strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action. No US Forces were harmed in this strike,” he added.
According to Trump, the crew were members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang designated as a terrorist group by Washington earlier this year. He repeated allegations that the organization is linked to President Nicolas Maduro’s government, a charge Caracas has consistently denied. The Venezuelan Communications Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Details about the strike remain scarce. The Pentagon has not disclosed what types of drugs were allegedly on board, how much was seized, or how the strike was carried out. Typically, US forces interdict drug smuggling vessels and arrest their crews, making Tuesday’s destruction unusual and reminiscent of tactics used against militant groups such as al-Qaida, according to Reuters.
The attack comes amid a heightened US naval presence in the southern Caribbean. In recent weeks, seven warships and one nuclear-powered submarine have been deployed, bringing more than 4,500 sailors and Marines. Ships in the force include USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale, with capabilities ranging from helicopter operations to Tomahawk missile strikes. P-8 surveillance aircraft have also been flying over international waters to gather intelligence.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters the drugs were likely destined for Trinidad or another Caribbean country. “Suffice it to say that the president is going to be on offense against drug cartels and drug trafficking in the United States,” Rubio said.
The strike has heightened tensions with Caracas, where officials fear the real target may be Venezuela’s leadership. Washington recently doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, accusing him of ties to drug cartels. Venezuelan officials insist Tren de Aragua is no longer active, claiming the group was dismantled in a 2023 prison raid.