Trump Announces Deaths of 11 “Narcoterrorists” in Strike Targeting Venezuelan Boat
Donald Trump has announced the deaths of eleven individuals he described as “narcoterrorists,” following a U.S. strike against a vessel that had departed from Venezuela. The operation targeted members of the venezuelan criminal organization, the Aragua train, which was designated a terrorist organization by the trump administration in February, alongside other groups involved in drug trafficking.
According to U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, the operation took place “in the south of the Caribbean” and specifically targeted the ship after it left Venezuelan waters.
the U.S. military has deployed seven American buildings, including three assault amphibious ships, to the Caribbean, with another in the pacific, as part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking, a military official stated.
The announcement has sparked tensions with Venezuela.President Nicolás Maduro denounced what he described as a “threat” from “eight ships” and an American submarine “targeting Venezuela,” raising concerns about a potential American landing and attempts at “regime change.” Maduro asserted that Venezuela is prepared for “armed struggle for the defense of the national territory,” despite the U.S. not publicly threatening invasion.Rubio emphasized Trump’s commitment to utilizing “all the power” of the United States to “eradicate” drug cartels. He stated, “The time when one could act with impunity and be content to destroy a device or to grasp a little drug on a boat is over.” Rubio is a known critic of Maduro and leftist leaders in Latin America.
While Rubio refrained from directly threatening Maduro with new measures, he clarified the operation was focused on “combatting drug trafficking.”
Venezuelan Minister of dialogue and Information, Freddy ñañez, criticized the video released by Trump, claiming it was fabricated using artificial intelligence (AI). He urged Rubio to “stop encouraging war.”
The Trump administration has prioritized the fight against drug trafficking, accusing the Venezuelan government of operating a meaningful drug network. The U.S. authorities have offered a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro.
