Former President Donald Trump reported that the U.S. military executed a strike against an alleged Venezuelan drug cartel vessel in international waters. He added these details in a Friday post on Truth Social, further underscoring the importance of this operation to combat drug trafficking.
At the time of the strike, Trump claimed it killed three people. He characterized it as a long overdue, decisive action to take on the threats posed by violent drug trafficking organizations. He claimed that the ship was on a direct course for the U.S., emphasizing the dangers of these risky operations.
“This morning, on my Orders, U.S. Military Forces conducted a SECOND Kinetic Strike against positively identified, extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” Trump wrote, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
In his post, President Trump zoomed out to discuss the consequences of these cartel operations in a more national security-oriented context. He claimed that “these extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to U.S. National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital U.S. Interests.” His testimony is an indication that questions remain about the international drug trafficking problem and how it threatens the safety and security of Americans.
This operation further demonstrates the unyielding resolve of U.S. authorities to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks. These networks pose a grave threat to our national security. This sizeable strike shows the seriousness of our commitment to fight against narcoterrorism. Its purpose is to prevent the shipment of illicit narcotics onto American soil.