On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out a second strike against a Venezuelan vessel he described as being involved in drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of three people. This action, which follows a previous attack that killed 11, has escalated tensions with Caracas and raised significant questions about international law and due process.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that the “kinetic strike” targeted “extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists” within the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility. He shared a video showing a boat on the sea before it exploded into a fireball. “These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels pose a threat to U.S. national security, foreign policy, and vital U.S. interests,” Trump declared.
Escalating Confrontation with Venezuela
This strike comes just weeks after a separate attack killed 11 people, further deepening hostilities between Washington and Caracas. The Venezuelan government has accused the U.S. of targeting harmless fishing vessels and causing the loss of innocent lives. The Venezuelan fishing industry, already grappling with economic hardship and sanctions, has expressed fears of further damage from U.S. military actions.
Rights groups and critics argue that these killings constitute extrajudicial executions, as the suspects were not given the opportunity to face trial. Observers also pointed to the U.S. military’s history of misidentifying vessels, warning that innocent civilians could be among the dead. Some have questioned why suspects were not apprehended in U.S. waters instead of being killed abroad.
Trump’s Warning to Cartels
Trump doubled down on his policy, writing in all capital letters: “BE WARNED — IF YOU ARE TRANSPORTING DRUGS THAT CAN KILL AMERICANS, WE ARE HUNTING YOU!”
When reporters later asked for proof that the vessel was carrying narcotics, Trump responded, “All you have to do is look at the cargo that was like it spattered all over the ocean – big bags of cocaine and fentanyl.” However, the video footage he posted did not clearly show any drugs on board.
