U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces carried out a second strike on a suspected Venezuelan drug cartel vessel in international waters, killing three men. Trump claimed the boat was loaded with cocaine and fentanyl, though no evidence has been presented. A video he shared on Truth Social, marked “Unclassified,” showed an explosion at sea, but Reuters said verification of the footage remains ongoing.
Trump described the operation as part of a campaign against “violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists” in the U.S. Southern Command region, which includes South and Central America and the Caribbean. The strike follows a September 2 attack that reportedly killed 11 people, raising questions about legality and evidence, as U.S. officials have not confirmed the type or quantity of drugs seized. Venezuela denies the allegations, with President Nicolas Maduro calling the strikes “aggression” and accusing Washington of seeking regime change.
The latest strike comes amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. Five F-35 jets recently arrived in Puerto Rico, joining seven warships and a nuclear-powered submarine. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the forces are on the “front lines” of counter-narcotics missions, vowing to “track, kill, and dismantle” traffickers across the hemisphere.
Trump has also proposed renaming the Department of Defense to the “Department of War,” pending congressional approval. Meanwhile, critics such as Democratic Senator Adam Schiff are pushing for a War Powers Act resolution to block further military action without congressional authorization.
The Venezuelan government disputes U.S. claims that cartel-linked group Tren de Aragua was involved and insists those killed were not gang members. With tensions escalating, the unusually aggressive decision to destroy suspected drug boats instead of seizing them highlights growing controversy over U.S. military strategy in the region.