President Donald Trump announced a significant military action on Tuesday, revealing that U.S. forces conducted a drone strike against drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea. The operation targeted members of the Tren de Aragua cartel, a group Trump labeled as a terrorist organization linked to Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
The strike occurred in international waters and reportedly resulted in the deaths of eleven cartel members who were transporting illegal drugs. Trump shared a video of the strike on his social media platform, Truth Social, showing a small boat before it exploded. He stated that the operation was carried out under his orders and emphasized the seriousness of the threat posed by these drug traffickers.
In his post, Trump described Tren de Aragua as responsible for various crimes, including drug and sex trafficking, and linked them to broader violence across the United States and the Western Hemisphere. He warned that this action serves as a stern warning to anyone considering bringing drugs into the U.S.
This military action follows Trump’s recent efforts to increase pressure on Maduro and his associates. The U.S. government has classified several drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and last month, Trump ordered military assets to the southern Caribbean to combat these threats. The administration has also doubled the bounty for information leading to Maduro’s capture, raising it to $50 million.
Attorney General Pam Bondi supported Trump’s statements, highlighting the extensive drug seizures linked to Maduro and his network. She noted that the Department of Justice has seized over $700 million in assets associated with Maduro, indicating the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and its impact on national security.
Trump’s announcement marks a significant escalation in the U.S. government’s approach to addressing drug cartels operating in the region, as the administration seeks to disrupt their operations and reduce the flow of illicit drugs into the country.
