🚢 Late Saturday night, U.S. forces struck another vessel off the coast of Venezuela allegedly packed with illegal drugs. President Trump revealed the news during a speech at Naval Station Norfolk, right beside the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier.
"In recent weeks, the Navy has supported our mission to blow the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water … we did another one last night. Now we just can't find any," Trump said. He added, "They're not coming in by sea anymore, so now we'll have to start looking about the land because they'll be forced to go by land." 💥
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro fired back in a video message on Telegram, denouncing what he called U.S. aggression. "Our people have never and will never be afraid to defend their right to live and be free," he said. Meanwhile, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov offered full support and solidarity to Caracas in a recent call. 🤝
These are not isolated incidents. In recent weeks, U.S. military strikes in international waters in the southern Caribbean have targeted multiple boats accused of smuggling drugs from Venezuela. According to U.S. sources, as many as 17 people aboard three vessels were killed in strikes last month.
The Pentagon has also boosted its presence in the region—reportedly deploying warships and more than 6,500 troops to curb drug routes. Yet, a 2020 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration assessment notes that Venezuela is not a main source of U.S.-bound cocaine, hinting at complex trafficking networks shifting paths. 🌍
Regional Pushback 😮
On Friday, a Latin American bloc of 10 members—known as the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America–People's Trade Treaty—condemned what it called an "illegal incursion of U.S. combat aircraft" near the Venezuelan coast. The statement warned that these actions undermine national sovereignty, violate international law, and risk peace and stability across the Caribbean, even threatening civil and commercial air safety.
As the high-seas cat-and-mouse game heats up, the next wave may play out on land. Stay tuned—this story is far from over. 🌿
Reference(s):
Trump says U.S. hit another boat off Venezuela coast on Saturday
cgtn.com
