The United States President, Donald Trump, announced on Tuesday that a military operation was conducted in the southern Caribbean targeting a drug-carrying vessel operated by the Tren de Aragua gang that set sail from Venezuela. The operation resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, as confirmed by President Trump in a social media post on Truth Social. A video shared by the president depicted the vessel exploding in flames while at sea in international waters transporting illegal narcotics towards the United States. Trump emphasized that no U.S. forces were injured in the operation and issued a warning to those involved in drug trafficking activities.
The video footage showed a speedboat traveling at sea before a sudden burst of light and subsequent flames engulfed the vessel. However, the video quality was insufficient to determine if all 11 individuals were onboard or if drugs were present on the boat. The White House also shared details of the strike, including a similar video.
The Tren de Aragua gang originated over a decade ago in a lawless prison in Venezuela’s Aragua state and has expanded its operations, especially with the mass exodus of Venezuelans due to economic hardships. President Trump and his administration have consistently accused the gang of fueling violence and drug trade in the U.S., attributing control to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, despite conflicting intelligence assessments.
Following the strike announcement, Venezuelan state television aired footage of President Maduro and his wife interacting with supporters, expressing defiance against perceived U.S. threats. Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez questioned the authenticity of the video, suggesting it might have been created using artificial intelligence due to its unrealistic depiction of the explosion.
The U.S. plans to bolster its maritime presence off the Venezuelan coast to combat drug cartel activities, without indicating intentions for a land incursion. Maduro’s government has responded by deploying troops and urging civilian militia enlistment to counter potential threats. The U.S. strategic focus remains on drug interdiction rather than regime change, as highlighted by experts in the field.
Maduro has dismissed U.S. accusations of drug trafficking, citing UN reports on cocaine movement through Venezuela. Meanwhile, a U.S. court ruling restricted the use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for expediting deportations of alleged Tren de Aragua members, a decision subject to further appeals.