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US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Washington had carried out a strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug-carrying vessel, operated by the Tren de Aragua gang, which departed from Venezuela.
In a post on his own social media platform, Truth Social, Trump noted that 11 people “positively identified Tren de Aragua narcoterrorists” were killed in a kinetic strike in what is a rare US military operation in the Americas.
The strike represents a significant escalation in the Republican administration’s efforts to combat the flow of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, entering the United States, primarily through their southern borders from Latin America.
Trump also shared a video with his post on Truth labeled “unclassified” that shows a speedboat at sea followed by a bright flash as the boat is engulfed in flames.
The strike took place as the terrorists were at sea in international waters, transporting illicit narcotics to the United States.
Trump stated, “No US Forces were harmed in this strike. Let this serve as a notice to anyone considering bringing drugs into the United States of America.”
Trump also accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of being a drug trafficker, claiming he runs the Tren de Aragua group, which is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by the US.
“TDA is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation operating under Nicolas Maduro’s control, responsible for mass murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and acts of violence and terror across the United States and Western Hemisphere.
These claims contradict a declassified US intelligence assessment that found no credible evidence proving a connection between the group and the Venezuelan leader.
The criminal group emerged over a decade ago in a lawless prison in the Venezuelan state of Aragua and has since expanded rapidly as close to 8 million Venezuelans fled economic turmoil and migrated to other Latin American countries or the United States.
Trump and various administration officials have repeatedly blamed the gang for the violence and illicit drug dealing plaguing various US cities.
Venezuela Claims Video Posted by Trump Was AI-Generated
Following Trump’s strike announcement, Venezuelan state television showed Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores interacting with supporters in his childhood neighborhood.
Maduro stated, “In the face of imperialist threats, God is with us.” He did not directly address the strike but emphasized that the US aims to seize Venezuela’s resources, including its oil and gas.
“I tell you from the neighborhoods of Caracas, there will be peace in Venezuela, with sovereignty,” said Maduro.
Venezuela’s Communications and Information Minister Freddy Ñáñez questioned the video’s authenticity, suggesting it was likely created using Artificial Intelligence.
While unable to specify the tools used, he noted the video’s “almost cartoonish animation, rather than a realistic depiction of an explosion.”
This occurred just one day after Maduro stated he would declare a republic in arms if US forces launched an attack on Venezuela.
Trump recently ordered several naval warships to patrol the waters off Venezuela as his administration looks to ramp up efforts to combat what they call a narcotics crisis in the country.
Maduro has responded by mobilizing 15,000 troops along the coast and border with Colombia and urged Venezuelans to join civilian militias, describing the current situation as the most significant threat to the continent in 100 years.
