The United States launched a new military strike against a speedboat coming from Venezuela, which, according to the government of Donald Trump, was transporting drugs to U.S. territory. The outcome was three people dead on board.
The agency Associated Press (AP) reported that President Trump himself announced the operation this Monday via his social network Truth Social.
In his message, he stated that the action was aimed at "confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela who were in international waters transporting illegal narcotics, a deadly weapon that poisons Americans."
The president detailed that the attack, authorized by him, took place in the area of responsibility of the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and that "three male terrorists were eliminated in action, with no casualties for U.S. forces."
Trump also issued a warning: “If you are transporting drugs that can kill Americans, we are hunting you down.”
The operation occurred just two weeks after another similar attack on a Venezuelan vessel, in which 11 people died, according to the U.S. government’s report, AP recalled.
The Trump administration justified that action as a "necessary escalation" to curb the flow of drugs into the United States.
The presidential speech directly accused Venezuelan cartels of being "extraordinarily violent" and constituting "a threat to national security, foreign policy, and the vital interests of the U.S."
However, the decision has raised questions in Washington. Several senators, both Democrats and Republicans, expressed concerns about the legality of the attacks and warned of a potential abuse of executive authority in using the armed forces for operations that could be interpreted as public order tasks.
The debate over the legitimacy of these military actions adds to the tension surrounding Nicolás Maduro's regime in regional drug trafficking and the increasing pressure measures that the Trump administration is promoting against Venezuela and its allies.
The attack on the Venezuelan vessel was not an isolated incident. On September 2, Trump announced a lethal operation against a ship allegedly loaded with drugs, an action he described as a direct message to the cartels linked to Nicolás Maduro's regime.
The president stated that his government will not tolerate "narcoterrorists" using the Caribbean as a trafficking route to the United States.
The images released by the U.S. military showed the exact moment when the vessel was hit by the projectiles, causing an explosion followed by its sinking.
The action received political support in Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as “lethal, precise, and necessary”, asserting that it was a strong move against the criminal networks that, according to the White House, operate under the protection of Venezuelan officials.
Rubio emphasized that these operations are part of Trump's strategy to curb the flow of narcotics into the U.S.
A congressman confirmed that the sunken ship belonged to a network linked to chavismo, but he called for transparency regarding the selection criteria for targets and warned of the risk of military escalation in the region.
The debate in Washington reflects the tensions surrounding the legality and proportionality of these actions.
In parallel, the Nicolás Maduro regime denied the authenticity of the attack video and labeled it as "U.S. propaganda." Caracas rejected the drug trafficking accusations and accused the Trump administration of fabricating incidents to justify harsher sanctions and military operations in the Caribbean.
Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Attack on Venezuelan Vessels Associated with Drug Trafficking
Why did the United States attack a Venezuelan vessel?
The United States attacked the Venezuelan vessel because it was transporting drugs towards U.S. territory. The U.S. government, under the administration of Donald Trump, justified the action as part of its "zero tolerance" strategy against drug trafficking, accusing the vessel of being operated by narco-terrorists linked to the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
What criminal organizations were involved in the incident?
The Aragua Train and the Cartel of the Suns were the criminal organizations involved. These organizations have been designated as terrorists by the United States and are accused of operating under the control of Nicolás Maduro's regime, engaging in drug trafficking and other international criminal activities.
What was Venezuela's reaction to the attack?
The government of Venezuela denied any connection to the attack and accused the United States of manipulating the evidence. Nicolás Maduro described the action as a threat and mobilized troops to the border with Colombia, while high-ranking Venezuelan officials claimed that the video of the attack had been fabricated using artificial intelligence.
What consequences could this attack have in the region?
The attack has heightened tension in the region and could lead to a larger diplomatic or military conflict. The action taken by the United States has been condemned by some governments and has raised concerns about a possible direct military operation against Venezuela. Furthermore, it reinforces Washington's narrative of confronting Maduro's allies, such as Cuba, and may impact international relations in Latin America.
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