Brief on Recent US Military Operation in the Caribbean
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. military conducted a strike against a vessel carrying illegal drugs in the southern Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals identified as members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The operation was reported to have occurred on Tuesday, with Trump stating that the vessel was located in international waters and was en route to the U.S.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has increased military and political pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, including offering a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest on drug trafficking charges. Maduro has openly opposed U.S. military intervention, promising that Venezuela would resist any such actions.
During a press briefing, Trump mentioned the operation, asserting that U.S. forces “shot out” a drug-laden boat near Venezuela. He indicated that he had received updates from General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about the situation.
Later, Trump shared a post on his Truth Social platform, taking credit for the military action and warning against drug trafficking into the U.S. He accompanied his announcement with a video showing a boat in choppy waters before it ignited.
In response, Venezuela’s Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez alleged, without providing evidence, that the video might have been generated using artificial intelligence. Initial checks by Reuters did not indicate any manipulation of the footage, although verification efforts are ongoing.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the strike in a post, noting it targeted a drug vessel linked to a designated narco-terrorist organization. However, the specifics regarding the drugs aboard the vessel remain unclear.
The recent operation is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration, which has designated various drug trafficking organizations as terrorist entities. Notably, Trump has faced judicial setbacks, such as a recent court ruling against his attempt to accelerate deportations of Venezuelan nationals. Despite this, the administration has signaled a readiness to use force in drug interdiction efforts, with Trump stating, “There’s more where that came from.”
Venezuela’s government has reacted strongly to U.S. military deployments in the region, with Maduro warning of severe repercussions should the U.S. proceed with attacks. Conversely, Trump’s administration has reportedly allowed U.S. company Chevron to collaborate with Venezuela’s state-run PDVSA oil firm, indicating a more nuanced approach in certain areas.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwywjgynyxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss