The US military conducted a second strike against a vessel allegedly transporting illegal narcotics from Venezuela, killing three individuals, President Donald Trump announced on Monday (September 15). The strike took place in international waters around South America and targeted what Trump described as “extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists.”
In post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that these cartels pose a significant threat to US national security and interests. The strike follows a previous attack on September 2, which resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals on another vessel. Both incidents have heightened tensions between the US and Venezuela, with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accusing the US of attempting to provoke conflict and seeking regime change under the guise of combating drug trafficking.
President Trump defended the military action as a necessary measure to stop the flow of drugs into the US. He claimed that the vessel was carrying large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl. However, critics, including some US senators and human rights organizations, have questioned the legality of these strikes, suggesting they may violate international law and overstep executive authority.
The Trump administration has not provided detailed evidence to support its claims about the identities or activities of those on board the targeted vessels. CNN reported that Defense Department officials did not present conclusive evidence that the targets were members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a group identified by the US as a terrorist organization.
As tensions continue to rise, the US has increased its military presence in the region, deploying assets such as the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico. The situation remains fluid, with potential for further military actions in the ongoing effort to combat drug trafficking in the hemisphere.
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