Strike on boat suspected of drug smuggling, led by Trump, results in death of 11 individuals, as captured in the footage
In a bold move, the United States military conducted a military strike on a Venezuelan vessel in the southern Caribbean on Tuesday. The operation, which resulted in 11 fatalities, is believed to be the first such operation in the region.
The suspected organization behind the vessel was the Los Zetas cartel, with the operational units involved being the US Navy's Carrier Strike Group and the US Coast Guard's Maritime Security Response Team. Seven U.S. warships, along with one nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, are either in the region or expected to be there soon, carrying more than 4,500 sailors and Marines. Among the warships are USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale, some of which can carry aerial assets like helicopters and deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The vessel, reportedly from Venezuela, and its crew were identified as members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a group that the U.S. designated as a terrorist group in February. The U.S. has been aiming to crack down on drug cartels in the southern Caribbean, and the strike comes as the U.S. has been flying P-8 spy planes in the region to gather intelligence, operating over international waters.
The decision to blow up the suspected drug vessel is highly unusual and evokes memories of the U.S. fight against militant groups like al Qaeda. However, the Pentagon has not released specific details about the attack, such as the type of drugs on board, the quantity, or how the strike was carried out.
Following the strike, U.S. President Donald Trump shared a video of the operation on his Truth Social platform. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the seized drugs were likely destined for Trinidad or another Caribbean country.
The U.S.'s actions against Maduro have raised alarms in Caracas, suggesting that their government might be the real target. Last month, the United States doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to US$50 million, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and criminal groups. Venezuelan officials claim that Tren de Aragua is no longer active in their country, following a prison raid in 2023.
Adam Isacson, director for defence oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, stated that "being suspected of carrying drugs" does not carry a death sentence. This operation, while unprecedented in the region, underscores the U.S.'s commitment to combating drug trafficking and criminal activity in the southern Caribbean.
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