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The United States military conducted a strike on an alleged drug boat linked to the Venezuelan cartel Tren de Aragua, resulting in the deaths of 11 people, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday (September 2). The operation took place in the southern Caribbean, targeting a vessel that had departed from Venezuela, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
President Trump described the strike as a "kinetic" action against narcoterrorists and emphasized the ongoing commitment to combat drug trafficking into the United States. He stated, "Please let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America. BEWARE!" The strike marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration's approach to dealing with Latin American drug cartels, which have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the State Department.
The military action is part of a broader strategy involving a substantial deployment of US military assets around the Caribbean and Latin America. This buildup has drawn criticism from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who accused the US of seeking regime change through military threats. Maduro has yet to publicly comment on the recent strike.
Secretary Rubio indicated that the counter-drug mission would continue, underscoring the commonality of drug routes originating from Venezuela. The legal authority for targeting the cartels militarily has been questioned, but Rubio affirmed that all necessary steps were taken in advance.
The strike has heightened tensions in the region and may lead to further diplomatic and military developments as the US continues its efforts to curb drug trafficking.d