Former US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that US forces conducted a strike on a Venezuelan drug trafficking vessel, killing three people. This is the second such operation in recent weeks, following an earlier strike that killed 11. The attacks have heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump described the operation as a “kinetic strike” targeting “extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists” within the US Southern Command’s area of responsibility. He also shared video footage showing a boat exploding into flames after the attack.
“These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels pose a threat to US national security, foreign policy, and vital US interests,” Trump stated, justifying the strike. He warned that individuals transporting drugs dangerous to Americans would be pursued aggressively.
The Venezuelan government has criticized the strike, claiming it targeted a harmless fishing vessel and resulted in unnecessary civilian deaths. Fishermen and industry representatives have expressed concern that US military actions could further harm an already struggling sector.
Rights groups and international observers have questioned the legality of the strikes. They argue that the killings could constitute extrajudicial executions, as the suspects were not given an opportunity to face trial. Additionally, the US military has a history of misidentifying vessels, raising concerns about potential civilian casualties.
Trump maintained that the vessel carried drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl, though the shared footage did not clearly show narcotics on board. Critics have asked why suspects were not intercepted in US waters instead of being targeted abroad.
The latest operation has sparked debate over international law, human rights, and the US approach to counter-narcotics enforcement. While Trump’s actions aim to protect national security, they also raise questions about the use of lethal force and accountability.
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