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Reuters

The US military killed 11 people on Tuesday in a strike on a vessel from Venezuela allegedly carrying illegal narcotics, President Donald Trump said, in the first known operation since his administration’s recent deployment of warships to the southern Caribbean.
“We just, over the last few minutes, literally shot out a boat, a drug-carrying boat, a lot of drugs in that boat,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
“And there’s more where that came from. We have a lot of drugs pouring into our country, coming in for a long time ... These came out of Venezuela.”
He later shared a video on his Truth Social platform that appeared to show footage from overhead drones of a speedboat at sea exploding and then on fire.

🚨pic.twitter.com/3ZHlcibXtQ
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 2, 2025

“The strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action. No U.S. Forces were harmed in this strike,” Trump said.
He added that the US military had identified the crew as members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which the US designated a terrorist group in February. He repeated allegations that Tren de Aragua is being controlled by Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, accusations that Caracas denies.
Venezuela’s Communications Minister, Freddy Nanez, suggested in a post on social media that the video shared by Trump was created with artificial intelligence.
Reuters conducted initial checks on the video, including a review of its visual elements using a manipulation detection tool which did not show evidence of manipulation. However, thorough verification is an ongoing process, and Reuters will continue to review the footage as more information becomes available.
The Pentagon has not released specifics about the attack, including what kind of drugs were on board, the quantity, or how the strike was carried out.
The decision to blow up a suspected drug vessel passing through the Caribbean, instead of seizing the vessel and apprehending its crew, is highly unusual and evokes memories of the US fight against militant groups like al-Qaeda.

“‘Being suspected of carrying drugs’ doesn’t carry a death sentence,” said Adam Isacson, Director for Defence Oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, in a post on X.
The United States has deployed warships in the southern Caribbean in recent weeks with the aim of following through on a pledge by Trump to crack down on drug cartels.
Tuesday’s strike appeared to be the first such military operation in the region to that effect.
Seven US warships, along with one nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, were either in the region or expected to be there soon, carrying more than 4,500 sailors and Marines.
While US Coast Guard and Navy ships regularly operate in the Southern Caribbean, the current buildup exceeds the usual deployments in the region.
In the naval force are warships, including USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale. Some can carry aerial assets like helicopters while others can also deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The US military has also been flying P-8 spy planes in the region to gather intelligence, US officials have said. They have been flying over international waters.
Speaking to reporters, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “These particular drugs were probably headed to Trinidad or some other country in the Caribbean”.
“Suffice it to say that the president is going to be on offence against drug cartels and drug trafficking in the United States.”
Trump’s singling out of Maduro has raised alarms in Caracas that their government might be the real target.
Last month, the United States doubled its reward for information leading to the arrest of Maduro to US$50 million, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and criminal groups.
Venezuelan officials have repeatedly said that Tren de Aragua is no longer active in their country after they dismantled it during a prison raid in 2023.


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Donald Trump

Trump says US strike kills 11 on alleged drug boat from Venezuela

US President Donald Trump posted a video online of an open-topped speedboat carrying a number of people traveling on a body of water before it exploded in a ball of flames. Photo: @realDonaldTrump / Truth Social

The US Navy warship USS Sampson docks in Panama City on Saturday. Photo: AFP

US President Donald Trump, in front of a painting of former US president Ronald Reagan, at the White House on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro holding a press conference on Monday. Photo: Reuters

US naval buildup in Caribbean draws fiery response from Venezuela’s Maduro

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro at a press conference on Monday. Photo: Getty Images via TNS

The US Navy guided missile destroyer USS Sampson docked near the entrance to the Panama Canal. Photo: Reuters

Trucks transporting tanks in Venezuela. Photo: AP

President Nicolas Maduro with Venezuelan forces on August 28. Photo: Miraflores Palace via Reuters

US-Venezuela tensions rise as US naval force arrives in Southern Caribbean

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and other officials in Caracas on Thursday. Photo: Miraflores Palace via Reuters

Venezuelan army trucks transport tanks. Photo: AFP

The amphibious transport dock ship, USS San Antonio. File photo: US Navy via AFP

US show of force could move Venezuela closer to China: analysts

Venezuela’s ties to China have grown deeper in recent decades, especially after the levying of US sanctions against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Photo: AFP

Venezuela’s ties to China have grown deeper in recent decades, especially after the levying of US sanctions against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Photo: Handout

US warships are circling Venezuela – what does this mean for the oil trade?

US President Donald Trump has sent warships to waters off the coast of Venezuela, prompting questions over how this escalation will affect the global oil trade. Photo: AFP

US doubles reward for arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro to US$50 million

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Photo: AFP

Alleged members of the Venezuelan criminal organisation Tren de Aragua and the Salvadoran gang MS-13 being held at the CECOT prison in El Salvador. Photo: El Salvador Presidency via AFP 

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World

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US president shares video showing a speedboat with ‘a lot of drugs’ exploding at sea


US president shares video showing a speedboat with ‘a lot of drugs’ exploding at sea.
