On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that American military forces executed a "lethal" strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug-laden vessel originating from Venezuela. The ship was operated by a group designated as a "narcoterrorist" organization by Washington. "As @POTUS just announced moments ago, today the U.S. military conducted a lethal attack in the southern Caribbean against a drug-carrying ship that departed from Venezuela and was operated by a designated narcoterrorist organization," Rubio stated on his personal X account.
The announcement was first made by President Donald Trump from the White House, who emphasized that the vessel was transporting a substantial quantity of narcotics, highlighting the ongoing challenge of drug flow from Venezuela. “We just fired on a ship carrying a large amount of drugs. It left Venezuela and was coming with great force,” Trump declared during a press conference.
Rubio's personal X account featured a follow-up message filled with emojis, including a fire symbol, which confused some users. The military action has quickly escalated tensions in the region. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the attack as "the greatest threat faced in a hundred years" and criticized the U.S. military presence near its shores as "extravagant, immoral, criminal, and bloody."
Maduro asserted that Venezuela is at maximum defense readiness and accused Washington of pushing the situation towards an irreparable point. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado called the incident a pivotal moment for political transition in her country, warning that Maduro’s ousting could trigger a domino effect impacting regional allies, especially Cuba. "The political and intelligence framework linking Caracas with Havana will collapse with Maduro's fall. It will mark the beginning of the end for the Cuban dictatorship," Machado stated.
The mounting tension has prompted concern from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which has called for an emergency meeting of foreign ministers to assess the situation. Meanwhile, the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed "unconditional support" for Venezuela against what it described as "imperialist threats."
In recent weeks, Washington increased the bounty for information leading to Maduro's capture to $50 million, accusing him of leading a terrorist organization known as the "Cartel of the Suns."
Key Questions Surrounding U.S. Military Actions in the Caribbean
Why did the U.S. military attack a drug ship from Venezuela?
The attack targeted a vessel carrying a large quantity of narcotics, operated by a group identified as a "narcoterrorist" organization by the U.S., as part of efforts to combat the flow of drugs from Venezuela.
What was the reaction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro?
Maduro condemned the attack as a significant threat and criticized the U.S. military presence as immoral and aggressive, while preparing Venezuela's defense against further actions.
How has the international community responded to the incident?
The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation, reflecting the heightened regional concern over escalating tensions.