In a bold move against drug trafficking, President Donald Trump announced that U.S. military forces executed a second targeted strike on Venezuelan cartels operating in international waters, Fox News reported.
This operation, which resulted in the deaths of three alleged narcoterrorists, marks the latest effort in a heightened U.S. campaign to disrupt drug trafficking networks threatening national security.
The first strike in this series occurred on Sept. 2, targeting a suspected Tren de Aragua drug boat in the southern Caribbean. That operation resulted in the deaths of 11 suspected narcoterrorists. It set the stage for a more aggressive U.S. stance against cartels transporting illegal narcotics.
The second strike, described by Trump as a "kinetic strike," took place within the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility, specifically in international waters. The operation targeted individuals positively identified as Venezuelan narcoterrorists transporting drugs destined for the United States. No U.S. military personnel were harmed during the mission.
Trump emphasized the severe impact of these cartels on American communities, linking their activities to widespread harm. He asserted that their illicit operations have caused devastating consequences for decades, including the deaths of millions of Americans.
Speaking after the recent strike, Trump provided evidence of the boat's cargo, noting visible drugs in the water. He remarked, "All you have to do is look at the cargo. It was spattered all over the ocean."
Trump further highlighted the precision of the operation, stating, "Big bags of cocaine and fentanyl all over the place." He added that U.S. forces had detailed information on the boat's movements and contents. This included specifics on departure times and cargo details.
On Truth Social, Trump declared, "This morning, on my Orders, U.S. Military Forces conducted a SECOND Kinetic Strike against positively identified, extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility." He continued, "The Strike occurred while these confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela were in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics (A DEADLY WEAPON POISONING AMERICANS!) headed to the U.S."
Trump also issued a stern warning in his statement, saying, "BE WARNED — IF YOU ARE TRANSPORTING DRUGS THAT CAN KILL AMERICANS, WE ARE HUNTING YOU!" He underscored the threat these cartels pose to national security and vital U.S. interests. He concluded, "The illicit activities by these cartels have wrought DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES ON AMERICAN COMMUNITIES FOR DECADES, killing millions of American Citizens. NO LONGER."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while visiting Ecuador, echoed the administration's resolve for tougher measures. He stated that the U.S. and its allies were developing a more forceful strategy against cartels. Rubio mentioned that "cooperative governments" would assist in identifying traffickers and taking decisive action.
Rubio elaborated on this approach, saying, "blow them up, if that’s what it takes." His comments signaled a shift toward more aggressive tactics beyond traditional interdiction efforts.
In a Fox News interview on Monday, Rubio stressed the limitations of current methods, stating, "Interdiction alone is not going to stop these drug traffickers." He further explained, "They don't mind losing 2% or 3% of their shipments. They've already sort of baked that into their economic plan."
Rubio advocated for stronger measures in the same interview, saying, "What needs to start happening is some of these boats need to get blown up." He added, "Some of these boats need to be not just intercepted but stopped." His remarks underscored the need for a significant change in strategy.
The administration's intensified focus on Venezuelan cartels reflects growing concerns over their impact on U.S. security and public health. Trump's statements frame drug trafficking as a direct threat to foreign policy and national interests. These operations aim to disrupt the flow of deadly narcotics like fentanyl and cocaine into the country.
As the U.S. ramps up its efforts, the strikes in international waters send a clear message to drug trafficking organizations. The combination of precise intelligence and military action suggests a sustained campaign against these networks. With allies potentially joining the effort, the fight against narcoterrorism appears poised for further escalation.
