Trump Announces U.S. Strike Kills 11 in Drug Boat Blast Off Venezuela

President Donald Trump revealed that U.S. military forces carried out a strike in international waters of the southern Caribbean Sea, destroying a speedboat allegedly transporting illegal narcotics from Venezuela and killing 11 individuals.

Trump identified the occupants as members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which his administration has labelled a designated narco-terrorist organisation. He went further to accuse the gang of acting under the direction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump shared a video via his social media platform showing what appears to be drone footage of a speedboat suddenly erupting into flames after being struck. Trump emphasised that no American forces were harmed and underscored the move as a strong warning to anyone considering drug trafficking into the United States. This strike represents the first known lethal military action in the Caribbean as part of a broader campaign to curb narcotics smuggling.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the president’s statement, affirming that the strike took place in international waters and reiterating the administration’s aggressive posture against drug cartels. While the Pentagon has confirmed that a precision strike was conducted, it has declined to release details regarding the nature of the narcotics aboard, the method of engagement, or whether warnings were issued before the attack.

Venezuelan officials, however, have pushed back. Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez questioned the authenticity of the footage, suggesting it might have been generated using artificial intelligence. Experts also noted that a secret April U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that Maduro likely does not directly control Tren de Aragua, contradicting the administration’s linked narrative.

The strike coincides with an ongoing U.S. military buildup in the region, which includes multiple warships, submarines, and thousands of personnel deployed to the southern Caribbean. Critics warn this increasingly militarised approach represents a significant escalation in U.S. counternarcotics policy and risks further heightening tensions with Venezuela under Maduro's leadership.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, The Washington Post