The United States confirmed a military strike on a Venezuelan vessel suspected of carrying illegal narcotics. The operation left 11 people dead, raising questions about legality and justification.
According to officials, the strike marked the first known action since President Donald Trump deployed warships to the southern Caribbean. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that military efforts against cartels would continue. He warned that any group trafficking in those waters could face the same outcome.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this stance, noting that similar strikes could happen again. He emphasized that the U.S. president was committed to fighting narco-terrorist groups.
On Tuesday, Trump said the U.S. military identified the crew as members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang recently labeled a terrorist group. He added that “massive amounts of drugs” were found on board. Trump also claimed there were recordings of the crew, which he said proved their involvement.
The Pentagon has not released detailed evidence, and legal experts have questioned the strike. Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at Notre Dame, argued the action violated international law. She criticized the decision to kill suspects instead of seizing the vessel.
Venezuelan officials dismissed U.S. claims and suggested Trump shared manipulated video footage of the strike. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, however, supported the action. She described it as necessary to save lives and counter President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
The U.S. currently has seven warships and a nuclear submarine in the region. Officials said the buildup shows Trump’s commitment to dismantling drug cartels. Critics remain divided, with some Venezuelan opposition figures questioning the accuracy of Washington’s claims.
The debate continues as investigations into the strike and its evidence move forward.
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