Trump Orders Strike on Venezuelan Drug Boat, Killing 11 Suspects

US President Donald Trump announced on March 12, 2024, that the United States conducted a military strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug-laden vessel linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals identified as narcoterrorists. This operation marks a significant escalation in the US government’s efforts to counteract drug trafficking, particularly as illicit narcotics, including fentanyl, continue to pose serious challenges at the southern border.

The strike took place in international waters as the vessel, which had reportedly departed from Venezuela, was transporting illegal drugs. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump shared a video he labeled as “unclassified,” which purportedly shows the moment of the strike as a bright flash ignites over the vessel, followed by flames engulfing it. “The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea… heading to the United States,” Trump wrote. He emphasized that no US forces were harmed during this operation and warned potential traffickers of consequences for their actions.

Trump further claimed that the Tren de Aragua group operates under the control of Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, whom he accused of being a drug trafficker. He described Tren de Aragua as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, allegedly involved in mass murder, drug trafficking, and violence across the Western Hemisphere. These assertions, however, stand in contrast to a declassified US intelligence assessment that found no credible evidence linking Maduro directly to the gang.

The Tren de Aragua gang emerged more than a decade ago within a notorious prison in Venezuela and has since expanded rapidly as the country faced severe economic difficulties, causing approximately 8 million Venezuelans to flee. US officials, including Trump, have consistently blamed this gang for exacerbating violence and drug-related issues in various American cities.

In response to the US strike, Venezuelan state television showcased Maduro engaging with supporters in his childhood neighborhood, asserting that the US is motivated by greed for Venezuela’s natural resources, particularly its vast oil reserves. Maduro stated, “In the face of imperialist threats, God (is) with us,” and reiterated his commitment to national sovereignty, asserting that peace would prevail in Venezuela.

The Venezuelan government has disputed the authenticity of the video released by Trump, claiming it may have been artificially created. Freddy Ñáñez, Venezuela’s Communications and Information Minister, expressed skepticism about the video’s realism, describing it as “almost cartoonish” and suggesting it lacked authenticity.

Just a day before the military operation, Maduro threatened to declare a republic in arms if US forces conducted any operations against Venezuela. In response to Trump’s recent naval deployments aimed at addressing the narcotics crisis, Maduro has mobilized around 15,000 troops along the Venezuelan coast and the border with Colombia, encouraging citizens to join civilian militias to counter what he termed the “gravest threat to face the continent in 100 years.”

The ongoing tension between the United States and Venezuela highlights the broader implications of drug trafficking and military engagement in the region, with both governments asserting their positions in the face of escalating hostilities.