On Monday, the U.S. military reported that it had conducted yet another strike against a vessel suspected of drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This operation resulted in the deaths of two individuals. The announcement was made via social media by U.S. Southern Command, marking the total number of boat strikes at 30, with at least 107 fatalities since early September, based on figures shared by the Trump administration.
The military indicated that the targeted vessel was "engaged in narco-trafficking operations," although it did not provide any evidence to substantiate this claim. A video shared on social media showed the boat moving through the water before being hit by two explosions, showcasing the aggressive nature of these military operations.
President Donald Trump has defended these attacks as a necessary measure to control the influx of drugs into the United States. He has characterized the U.S. engagement as an "armed conflict" with drug cartels, suggesting a level of military involvement that extends beyond traditional law enforcement measures.
In addition to the strikes, the Trump administration has increased military presence in the region as part of an escalating strategy aimed at pressuring Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro has been charged with narcoterrorism in U.S. courts, and the military actions are seen as part of a broader campaign against his government.
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida, Trump was questioned about reports of "an explosion in Venezuela." He confirmed that the U.S. had "hit" a dock facility where vessels accused of drug trafficking are known to load. Trump described the situation, stating, "There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs," although the specifics remained unclear as neither the White House nor the Pentagon provided additional details.
In December, the Trump administration adopted a new strategy by seizing two oil tankers that were under sanctions off the coast of Venezuela, and it has also pursued a third tanker. This tactic aimed to disrupt the flow of resources to the Maduro regime and resulted in some sanctioned vessels rerouting away from Venezuela.
Maduro has consistently asserted that the true aim of U.S. military operations is to oust him from power. Trump has suggested for months that he may consider conducting land strikes either in Venezuela or potentially other nations to further combat drug trafficking and narcoterrorism.
The boat strike campaign has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers. It has emerged that the first strike in early September involved a subsequent attack that resulted in the deaths of two survivors who were clinging to the wreckage of the boat post-strike. This has raised serious ethical and legal questions about the military's rules of engagement in such operations.
This escalating conflict and military actions reflect the ongoing tensions between the United States and Venezuela, as the Trump administration seeks to reinforce its stance against drug trafficking and respond to the complexities of international drug cartels operating in the region.
