President Donald Trump has expressed approval for a US military operation targeting a Venezuelan ship allegedly carrying drugs in the Southern Caribbean, which resulted in the capture of 11 suspected members of the Tren de Aragua drug cartel.
This praise follows the recent deployment of three US Navy guided missile destroyers aimed at enhancing counter-narcotics efforts in the region. Trump shared a video on social media showcasing US military strikes on Venezuelan vessels, which fall under the jurisdiction of the US Southern Command. “You had a ton of drugs,” he told reporters on Wednesday, referring to the military action. “There’s no doubt, it was a significant amount of drugs headed for our country. Everyone knows how serious this is.” He emphasized the visibility of drug bags on the intercepted boat, suggesting that those involved would think twice before attempting such actions again.
Interestingly, amid the situation, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claimed he was considering a governmental change in response to the military threats. Trump added that US military evaluations indicated those on the ship were indeed associated with Tren de Aragua, which he mentioned Maduro allegedlyoversees.
However, a declassified report from the National Intelligence Council released in April countered this, stating there was no evidence of collaboration between Tren de Aragua and the Venezuelan government. Meanwhile, Carlos Gimenez, a representative from Florida, asserted that the ship belonged to the Sands cartel, a drug trafficking organization led by members of the Venezuelan military.
The Trump administration has pursued a proactive stance against drug trafficking, recently classifying groups like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel as foreign terrorist organizations. In the aftermath of the attack, Maduro described the US response as a “luxurious, unjust, immoral, absolutely criminal and bloody threat,” asserting Venezuela’s readiness to counter any military actions.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that future military strikes on other ships attempting to smuggle drugs into the US are forthcoming. “We have various assets in play—on the ground, in the air, on the water—because this mission is serious,” he remarked. He also warned that those operating in those waters could face similar designations as narcoterrorists.
China has criticized the presence of US troops near Venezuela, labeling it as foreign interference in regional affairs. Maduro, in a press conference, reiterated that Venezuela has ramped up its defenses in light of increased military pressure.
