US Military Strike Kills 11 Drug Traffickers in Caribbean

Washington, D.C. — The United States military has conducted a strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea, which President Donald Trump claims killed 11 members of the Tren de Aragua drug cartel. The strike occurred early Tuesday after the boat reportedly departed from Venezuela.

President Trump announced the operation during a news conference, describing it as a significant step in the fight against drug trafficking. He stated, “The strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action. No U.S. forces were harmed in this strike.” He said that the boat was transporting illegal narcotics heading for the United States.

Legal experts have raised concerns about the legality of the strike, suggesting it may have violated international law. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries generally cannot interfere with vessels in international waters without justification. Professor Luke Moffett from Queens University Belfast stated that the use of lethal force must be necessary and reasonable.

Trump has accused the Venezuelan government of engaging in irregular warfare, claiming connections between President Nicolás Maduro and the Tren de Aragua cartel. However, some experts argue that U.S. actions stretch international law definitions too far, as the U.S. is not in an armed conflict with Venezuela.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth defended the operation, asserting that the U.S. military would not tolerate narcotics trafficking in the region. Additionally, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham praised the strike as a sign of strong leadership.

Venezuela’s Communications Minister, Freddy Ñáñez, has expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the footage released by the White House, hinting it may have been digitally manipulated. Trump has vowed to continue aggressive measures against drug trafficking, reinforcing his administration’s hardened stance against Venezuela.

The Pentagon has not provided details on the legal grounds for the strike, nor whether Trump followed the War Powers Resolution, which typically requires congressional consultation before military action.

As tensions escalate, the U.S. has deployed naval warships to the Caribbean, bolstering its presence in response to threats from drug trafficking and other illegal activities.