The Department of Defense (DOD) attacked an alleged Tren de Aragua (TDA) drug boat in the Caribbean Sea overnight, killing six “narco-terrorists”, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. revealed Friday morning.
Hegseth said the ship was involved in “illegal drug trafficking” and was passing through a “known drug-trafficking route”.
The strike, the 10th by US forces since the operation began in early September, took place in international waters and was the first at night, according to the Defense Secretary. No American forces were harmed during the operation.
“If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs into our hemisphere, we will treat you the same way we treat al-Qaeda,” Hegseth wrote. “Day or night, we will map your networks, track your people, hunt you down and kill you.”
Hegseth shared a 20-second surveillance video of the boat being attacked and engulfed in flames. The US government designated TDA, a transnational criminal organization originating from Venezuela, as a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year.
The U.S. military, under the direction of President Trump, has continued to attack alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela, and most recently in the Eastern Pacific.
The U.S. has killed at least 43 people since U.S. forces began taking out ships that authorities say are transporting narcotics in hopes of reaching the U.S., according to the Trump administration.
Two strike earlier this week Were launched against Five “narco-terrorists” were killed on board alleged drug smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific.
So far, the administration has not provided evidence of its claims that the targeted ships are smuggling drugs.
The boat-strike campaign is part of the administration’s effort to increase pressure against Venezuelan authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro, whom Trump and other administration officials view as an “illegitimate” leader.
US military has increased its presence in the Caribbean region, deployed warships 10,000 US military support Anti-narcotics campaign in the area. Earlier this month, Trump confirmed that he had authorized CIA will conduct covert operations in Venezuela.
Trump has also raised the possibility of the US military carrying out strikes inside Venezuela, possibly targeting drug cartel infrastructure. On Thursday, the President rejected the need to ask Congress for a declaration of war over attacks on alleged cartel boats.
“I don’t think we would necessarily be asking for a declaration of war,” Trump said. “I think we’re going to kill the people who are bringing drugs into our country. OK? We’re going to kill them.
The US military operation has shocked Democrats in Congress and Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who argue that the administration needs congressional authorization and that the strikes are illegal.
Trump said on Wednesday that the administration can go to congress For authorization to target cartel members trafficking drugs on land.
“We’re going to hit them very hard when they come off the ground. And they haven’t experienced it yet, but now we’re fully prepared to do that. We’ll probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what we’re doing.” [they] Come to the ground,” the president said at the White House.
