The president of the United States, Donald Trump, confirmed this Tuesday that a military strike in the Caribbean against a drug-laden ship from Venezuela resulted in 11 fatalities.
In his social network Truth Social, the president specified that the action was carried out by the Armed Forces under his direct order against members of the Tren de Aragua, an organization designated as terrorist by Washington and identified as operating under the control of Nicolás Maduro.
"In the morning hours, under my orders, the United States Armed Forces carried out a kinetic attack against narcoterrorists from the Tren de Aragua positively identified in the area of responsibility of South Command," Trump wrote.
Furthermore, he emphasized that “the TDA is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, operating under the control of Nicolás Maduro, responsible for mass killings, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and acts of violence and terror in the United States and across the Western Hemisphere.”
The president detailed that the attack occurred while members of the criminal group were at sea, in international waters, transporting narcotics destined for the United States.
"The attack resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action. No U.S. forces were injured in this operation," he added, warning that this action serves as a warning to anyone attempting to smuggle drugs into the United States.
The message was accompanied by the first images of the operation, which show the wreckage of the vessel following the bombing in the area of responsibility of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
The operation is part of Washington's "zero tolerance" strategy against drug trafficking and, in particular, against criminal organizations identified as receiving protection from the Maduro regime.
The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed this Tuesday that the military forces of his country conducted a “lethal” attack in the southern Caribbean against a ship loaded with drugs that had departed from Venezuela and was operated by an organization designated as a “narcoterrorist” by Washington.
"As @potus just announced a few moments ago, today the U.S. military carried out a lethal strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug boat that had departed from Venezuela and was being operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization," he stated on his personal X account.
"We just fired on a boat that was carrying a large quantity of drugs. It came from Venezuela and was coming in strong," Trump said at a press conference.
The Cuban-American congressmen Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, and Carlos Giménez in the name of the so-called "zero tolerance" policy.
Frequently asked questions about the U.S. attack on a drug ship coming from Venezuela
What happened in the U.S. attack on a drug ship coming from Venezuela?
The United States military forces attacked a drug-laden boat coming from Venezuela, resulting in the death of 11 members of the Tren de Aragua group. This group has been designated as a terrorist organization by Washington and is alleged to operate under the control of Nicolás Maduro.
What is the relationship between the Tren de Aragua and the government of Nicolás Maduro?
The Aragua Train is described by the United States as a terrorist organization operating under the control of Nicolás Maduro's regime. It is accused of collaborating with drug trafficking and participating in criminal activities such as murders, human trafficking, and acts of violence. This organization has links to the Cartel of the Suns, supposedly led by Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials.
How has Nicolás Maduro responded to the attack from the U.S.?
Nicolás Maduro has denounced the attack as the greatest threat faced by Venezuela in a hundred years, and has described the presence of U.S. military forces off its shores as an imperialist threat. Maduro has ordered maximum readiness for the defense of the country in response to this action.
What implications does this attack have for the Caribbean region?
The attack has heightened tensions in the region, raising alarms in organizations such as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Several governments have expressed concern over a possible direct military operation against Venezuela, while Cuba has pledged unconditional support to its Venezuelan ally.
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