In the framework of Washington’s growing pressure on the transnational criminal organizations operating in the Caribbean Sea, U.S. military forces carried out an attack against a speedboat coming from Venezuela, suspected of transporting a drug cargo. The incident occurred on September 2 in international waters, in a context of intensified maritime security operations driven by the Pentagon in the region.
The operation was confirmed by President Donald Trump during an event at the White House, who later released a video of the attack through the Truth Social network. In this regard, the president declared that the action was directed against members of the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, an organization that the State Department had designated as a “foreign terrorist” in February of this year. On this point, President Trump stated: “Let this serve as a warning to anyone who tries to bring drugs into the United States.”
The Department of Defense specified that it was a precision strike against a vessel linked to a narco-terrorist organization. Although it was not detailed which specific unit or force carried out the action, it was confirmed that no U.S. personnel were affected. The measure represents a significant change in the way the Pentagon addresses the fight against drug trafficking in the area of responsibility of Southern Command, where historically the work of the Coast Guard for interdictions and arrests was supported.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the operation by pointing out on his social networks that it was a “lethal” action in the southern Caribbean against a boat coming from Venezuela, linked to an officially designated narco-terrorist group. The strike, according to U.S. authorities, seeks to set a precedent in the confrontation against transnational criminal organizations operating in the region and that have expanded their influence in recent years.
This attack is part of an unprecedented military deployment in the Caribbean. Currently, the United States maintains in the region the Amphibious Ready Group headed by USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), together with the ships USS San Antonio (LPD-17) and USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28), with a total of 4,500 personnel, including more than 2,000 Marines. To these forces are added Arleigh Burke-class destroyers —USS Gravely (DDG-107), USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), and USS Sampson (DDG-102)— in addition to the littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (LCS-21).
In addition, days ago the deployment of the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70), equipped with the AEGIS combat system, and of the nuclear attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN-750), of the Los Angeles class, was confirmed. These units reinforce the deterrence, intelligence, and precision strike capability of the U.S. Navy, expanding Washington’s operational spectrum in its strategy against drug cartels and criminal groups with regional reach.
The attack against the “narco” boat coming from Venezuela not only constitutes a direct blow against the Tren de Aragua, but also reflects the new policy toward Caracas amid the escalation of tension with Nicolás Maduro’s regime. With a sustained increase of its naval and military presence, Washington seeks to send a message of power and determination in the face of the threat represented by the criminal networks linked to drug trafficking, reaffirming at the same time its capacity to act unilaterally in defense of its strategic interests.
*Images used for illustrative purposes
You may also like: The U.S. Navy continues to strengthen its presence in the Caribbean with the deployment of a missile cruiser and a nuclear submarine
