U.S. Military Strikes Suspected Drug Vessel in Caribbean Waters
- Richard Sykes
- Sep 3, 2025
- 1 min read
United States — In a dramatic escalation of U.S. counter-narcotics operations, the military launched a precision strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the southern Caribbean early Tuesday morning. The attack, ordered directly by President Donald Trump, targeted a speedboat allegedly operated by members of the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua gang—a group recently designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department.1 2
The strike, which reportedly killed all 11 individuals aboard, was captured in grainy night-vision footage later released by the White House. Officials claim the vessel was transporting illegal narcotics toward the United States when it was intercepted in international waters.1 2
“This is a deadly serious mission,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, promising further action against cartel-linked traffickers operating in the region.3 Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the sentiment, stating, “What will stop them is when you blow them up”.4
While some officials hailed the operation as a bold step in the war on drugs, legal experts and international observers have raised concerns about the strike’s legality and its potential to inflame tensions with Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro has condemned the attack, warning of retaliatory measures and accusing the U.S. of seeking regime change.2 5
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