Donald Trump announced on Monday that US forces had carried out a strike on a second Venezuelan boat, killing three alleged traffickers he described as “narco-terrorists” transporting drugs bound for the United States.
The president shared a video of the attack showing the vessel erupting into flames, claiming the strike occurred in international waters. He argued the operation was justified under his constitutional powers, citing the crew’s ties to a designated terrorist group. The administration previously defended a similar strike earlier this month that killed 11, insisting the vessel was linked to drug cartels despite questions over its identity.
The latest action comes amid a major US military buildup around Venezuela, including fighter jets deployed to Puerto Rico and Navy warships stationed in the Caribbean. Trump has not ruled out broader operations against cartels or the Maduro government but emphasized that the drug threat itself justified the strikes.
In response, Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro condemned US actions as foreign aggression and vowed to defend the country. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Washington voiced concern that Trump’s unilateral strikes risk escalating conflict without congressional approval.
