WASHINGTON - former President Donald Trump stated on September 3, 2025, that eleven individuals perished during a U.S. military engagement with a Venezuelan vessel allegedly transporting narcotics. The incident, occurring in international waters, has ignited a diplomatic crisis with Caracas, where the Nicolás Maduro management vehemently condemns the action as a prelude too forced regime change and a direct assault on Venezuelan sovereignty.
The confrontation centers on a reported effort by the United States to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs originating in Venezuela. According to Trump’s statement, the U.S. Navy intercepted a ship suspected of carrying narcotics,resulting in a firefight and the loss of life. The U.S. has deployed over 4,000 marines, alongside three destroyers and a nuclear-powered submarine, to the region as part of this counter-narcotics operation. Maduro’s government alleges that the deployment is a thinly veiled attempt to destabilize Venezuela and install a new government, with opposition leader Jorge Rubio specifically accused of advocating for military intervention. The venezuelan government, through state media, has characterized the U.S. action as an act of aggression.
The incident escalates existing tensions between Washington and Caracas, wich have been strained for years due to political and economic factors. venezuela has been a focal point in the U.S. anti-drug strategy,with officials consistently pointing to the country as a major transit point for cocaine destined for the United States. The U.S. government has not yet released detailed information regarding the specifics of the engagement, including the type of vessel involved or the circumstances leading to the exchange of fire. Further details are expected in a press briefing scheduled for later today.