President Donald Trump announced Friday a lethal military attack targeting a vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking and linked too a designated terrorist association. The operation, conducted in international waters within the area of responsibility of the U.S. Southern Command, resulted in the deaths of three individuals described as “narcoterrorists.”
The incident underscores the Trump management’s aggressive stance on combating drug trafficking and its connection to terrorism, particularly concerning the flow of fentanyl and other illicit narcotics into the United States. The U.S. Southern Command oversees military operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean-regions identified as key transit points for drugs destined for American markets.According to a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated, “By my orders, the Secretary of War ordered a lethal kinetic attack against a vessel affiliated with a designated terrorist organization that performed drug trafficking in the Ussouthcom area of responsibility.” He further asserted that intelligence confirmed the boat was transporting illicit narcotics along a known drug trafficking route “on the way to poisoning Americans.”
The president confirmed no U.S. forces were harmed during the operation. He also issued a direct warning: “Stop selling fentanil, narcotics and illegal drugs in the United States, and committing violence and terrorism against Americans!”
Trump accompanied his announcement with a video depicting the attack.The incident marks another instance of direct action taken by the administration against suspected drug traffickers, raising questions about the legal justifications and potential consequences of such operations in international waters.
