US Strikes Venezuelan Drug Vessels, Maduro Accuses US of 'Military Aggression'
In a series of recent military operations, the US has targeted multiple Venezuelan vessels suspected of drug trafficking. These strikes, reportedly part of a broader crackdown on narco-terrorism, have escalated tensions between the two nations. Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, has denounced these actions as 'military aggression,' promising that his country will exercise its 'right to self-defense'.
A String of Attacks
President Donald Trump announced that the US military had carried out two strikes on suspected drug vessels. The first strike, which occurred in the southern Caribbean, resulted in the sinking of a Venezuelan boat and the killing of 11 suspected Tren de Aragua (TdA) traffickers. Retired Coast Guard pilot John Mixson applauded the administration's actions, likening the threat of fentanyl fatalities to tiny little bombs, but it's hundreds of them every day, if not thousands every day.
The second strike resulted in the death of three male terrorists, according to Trump. The president shared videos of both strikes via social media, boasting about the US military's overwhelming force.
The Strike occurred while these confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela were in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics (A DEADLY WEAPON POISONING AMERICANS!) headed to the U.S.,
Trump posted on Truth Social.
In addition to these strikes, the US Coast Guard (USCG) captured, burned, and sank another suspected drug boat
as part of Operation Pacific Viper, seizing nearly 13,000 pounds of cocaine and apprehending seven suspected drug smugglers.
Rising Tensions and Mixed Reactions
These events have aggravated the already strained relations between the US and Venezuela. Maduro has accused the US of trying to start a war in the Caribbean, charging the U.S. Secretary of State as a 'lord of death and war'. He also denounced the seizure of a fishing boat in Venezuelan territorial waters by the US.
On the other hand, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated in his first interview that attempts to harm Americans will no longer be tolerated,
emphasizing on the Pentagon's efforts to secure the western hemisphere and to halt the funding of these cartels.
Implications and Uncertainties
This aggressive stance towards drug trafficking has sparked discussions about the possibility of a US strike on mainland Venezuela. When questioned about this possibility, Trump responded vaguely, saying, We'll see what happens.
Legal specialists have condemned the vessel strikes as illegal, and there are growing concerns about the true objectives of these US actions. Amid the rising tensions and uncertainties, both nations seem to be bracing for potential escalations.
Current Status
As of now, the US continues its crackdown on drug trafficking, with the Trump administration bolstering the US Navy's presence off the coast of Venezuela. Despite the increasing tensions, it remains unclear how this situation will unfold in the coming weeks.