President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that a U.S. military operation in the Caribbean targeted a drug-laden vessel originating from Venezuela, resulting in 11 casualties. The president shared this news via his social media platform, Truth Social, stating that the operation was conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces under his direct command, targeting members of the Tren de Aragua. This group has been labeled a terrorist organization by Washington, accused of operating under Nicolás Maduro's regime.
“This morning, under my orders, the United States Military executed a kinetic strike against positively identified narcoterrorists from the Tren de Aragua within the Southern Command's area of responsibility,” Trump detailed. He emphasized that the Tren de Aragua is a Foreign Terrorist Organization operating with Maduro's oversight, responsible for mass murders, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and acts of violence and terror across the United States and the Western Hemisphere.
The President elaborated that the attack occurred while the criminal group was in international waters, transporting narcotics destined for the U.S. “The strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action. No U.S. forces were injured during this operation,” he added, warning that this serves as a deterrent for anyone attempting to smuggle drugs into the United States.
The announcement was accompanied by the initial images of the operation, showing the remnants of the vessel following the bombardment in the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area. This operation aligns with Washington's "zero tolerance" strategy against drug trafficking, particularly targeting criminal organizations believed to be shielded by Maduro's regime.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Tuesday that U.S. military forces conducted a "lethal" strike in the southern Caribbean on a drug-laden ship that had departed from Venezuela and was operated by a group designated as "narcoterrorists" by Washington.
"As @POTUS just announced a few moments ago, today the U.S. military carried out a lethal strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug-laden ship that had departed from Venezuela and was being operated by a designated narcoterrorist organization," Rubio stated on his personal X account.
Trump remarked during a press conference, "We just fired upon a ship carrying a massive load of drugs. It left Venezuela and was coming with great force." Cuban-American congress members Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, and Carlos Giménez praised the U.S. military action, endorsing the so-called "zero tolerance" policy.
Key Details on U.S. Military Action Against Drug Trafficking
What was the target of the U.S. military operation in the Caribbean?
The U.S. military targeted a vessel loaded with drugs originating from Venezuela, operated by the Tren de Aragua, a group designated as a terrorist organization by Washington.
How did President Trump describe the operation?
President Trump described the operation as a kinetic strike against narcoterrorists, ordered by him, resulting in 11 casualties among the targeted group with no injuries to U.S. forces.
What is the significance of the operation according to U.S. officials?
U.S. officials see this operation as part of a broader "zero tolerance" strategy against drug trafficking, specifically targeting organizations protected by the Maduro regime.