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The Vice President of the United States James David Vance defended today that the best role of the armed forces should be to kill members of drug cartels, in statements that reignite the wartime rhetoric surrounding drug trafficking and reveal a concerning shift towards the militarization of security.
The vice president wrote on his account on X that "killing cartel members who poison our citizens is the highest and best use of our military," clearly stating his stance on using military resources directly against these criminal organizations.
In another tweet, Vance contrasted the Republican position with that of the Democrats, stating that while the latter “want to send their children to die in Russia,” the Republicans, on the other hand, focus on “protecting our people from the scum of the earth.”
The vice president's words place at the center of the debate the possibility of expanding the role of the armed forces both inside and outside U.S. borders, focusing on a direct and lethal confrontation against the cartels.
The message, laden with an aggressive tone and strong political contrast, reflects how the fight against drug trafficking becomes an electoral and discursive battleground, where the victims of violence and drug trafficking are overshadowed by the interest in showcasing a tough stance.
Van's statements come after President Donald Trump authorized military forces on Friday to shoot down Venezuelan aircraft if they pose a threat to U.S. ships deployed in the Caribbean.
The warning, made during a press conference from the White House, came after incidents of air harassment attributed to aircraft bearing the Venezuelan flag.
"General, if they do it again, you have the freedom to take whatever action you deem necessary. If they endanger our units, you, the captains, will be able to decide what to do," Trump said to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
The Pentagon reported that two F-16 fighter jets from the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) flew at a low altitude over the USS Jason Dunham, a maneuver described as “highly provocative” and aimed at interfering with anti-narcotics and anti-terrorism operations.
The U.S. military forces attacked a drug-laden ship coming from Venezuela at the beginning of September, resulting in the death of 11 members of the Tren de Aragua group.
This group, designated by Washington as a terrorist organization, is described by the United States as an entity operating under the control of the regime of Nicolás Maduro. In this sense, the South American nation is accused of being a key player in drug trafficking and of sending criminals to the northern country.
According to Trump, the dissemination of images from the operation will serve as deterrence for other criminal groups engaged in this activity.
In this regard, the U.S. president directly targeted the Venezuelan government, accusing it of "emptying its prisons" and sending inmates, drug traffickers, and gang members such as those from the Tren de Aragua to the United States.
“Venezuela has been very bad in this. It has sent millions of people to our country, including some of the worst criminals in the world,” Trump stated.
He also held the former president Joe Biden (2021-2025) responsible for his open-border policies that facilitated the entry of these groups.
"We are paying a very high price due to the incompetence of the Biden administration," he asserted, while praising his team for "working very hard to correct the foolishness of the current government," he said.
Such statements are made amid rising tensions in the Caribbean, where the United States is deploying military operations to strengthen maritime control and curb drug trafficking, while Caracas has repeatedly denounced these incursions as acts of open provocation.
In this regard, Maduro reiterated this Friday that his country is prepared to enter a phase of “planned armed struggle” in the event of a military aggression from the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Militarization of the Fight Against Drug Trafficking in the U.S.
Why does the U.S. Vice President support the use of the military against drug cartels?
The Vice President of the United States, James David Vance, asserts that killing cartel members who poison citizens is the highest and best use of the United States military. This stance reflects a militarization approach in the fight against drug trafficking, proposing a more aggressive and direct role for the armed forces in this task.
How has the U.S. government reacted to the threat of Venezuelan planes?
President Donald Trump authorized military forces to shoot down Venezuelan aircraft that pose a threat to U.S. ships in the Caribbean. This measure was taken following incidents of aerial harassment and is part of a broader strategy to control drug trafficking and respond to provocations from Nicolás Maduro's regime.
What actions has the U.S. taken against the Tren de Aragua?
The American military attacked a drug-laden ship coming from Venezuela, linked to the Tren de Aragua, resulting in the death of 11 members of this group. The Tren de Aragua is regarded by the United States as a terrorist organization operating under the control of Nicolás Maduro's regime.
What is Marco Rubio's position on drug cartels?
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, emphasized that the drug cartels will not continue to operate with impunity. During his visit to Mexico, Rubio highlighted the use of force by the United States to protect its people, stressing Washington's determination to combat the criminal organizations operating in international waters.
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