Trump says 11 Tren de Aragua ‘terrorists’ killed in US strike on drug vessel that left Venezuela

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. military conducted a kinetic strike on a drug-carrying Tren de Aragua boat that departed from Venezuela. The strike, which occurred in international waters as the vessel headed to the United States, resulted in the deaths of 11 narcoterrorists. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously stated that a strike was conducted against a drug vessel operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization. Trump emphasized that this operation serves as a warning to anyone considering bringing drugs into the U.S. The strike is part of a broader effort to combat drug trafficking originating from Venezuela, which has seen an increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean. Last month, the Pentagon deployed Navy destroyers and other military resources to the region to target Latin American drug cartels. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has not directly commented on the strike, but he has previously called the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean a significant threat and vowed to resist any attacks. Maduro is facing pressure from the Trump administration, with an increased bounty for his arrest, and accusations of collaborating with terrorist organizations on drug trafficking. The Venezuelan leader faces multiple federal charges in the U.S.