U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States conducted a military operation in the southern Caribbean targeting a drug-carrying vessel linked to the Tren de Aragua gang that set sail from Venezuela. The operation resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, as confirmed by a video shared by the president on social media. The strike, carried out in international waters, targeted the vessel transporting illegal narcotics to the United States. Trump emphasized that no U.S. forces were harmed in the operation, warning against any attempts to bring drugs into the country.
The video footage captured a high-speed boat at sea being engulfed in flames after a bright flash of light. Despite the unclear quality of the video, it remains inconclusive whether the boat was carrying 11 passengers or illicit substances. Additionally, the White House also shared information and video footage of the strike through their official channels.
The Tren de Aragua gang, which originated in a Venezuelan prison over a decade ago, has expanded its operations amidst the exodus of millions of Venezuelans due to economic challenges. Trump and his administration have consistently accused the gang of fueling violence and drug trade in certain U.S. cities. Despite a declassified intelligence report contradicting the claim that the gang operates under President Nicolás Maduro’s authority, Trump reiterated this assertion.
The Venezuelan government, in response to Trump’s announcement, showcased Maduro interacting with supporters in his childhood neighborhood on state television. Maduro, while not directly addressing the strike, accused the U.S. of coveting the country’s resources, particularly its oil and gas reserves. Venezuelan officials also questioned the authenticity of the video, suggesting it may have been generated using artificial intelligence due to its unrealistic portrayal of the events.
Furthermore, Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed the strike before Rubio embarked on diplomatic visits to Mexico and Ecuador. Rubio, a vocal critic of Maduro, highlighted the ongoing efforts to combat drug cartels in the region. The U.S. administration’s decision to bolster its maritime presence near Venezuela aims to counter drug-related threats from Latin American criminal organizations.
Maduro has dismissed the U.S.’s drug-trafficking accusations as a pretext to undermine his government. He has cited UN reports showing minimal cocaine trafficking through Venezuela compared to other South American nations. Meanwhile, legal battles over the deportation of alleged Tren de Aragua members have unfolded in U.S. courts, emphasizing the complex dynamics surrounding the situation.
