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Key Points

President Trump announced a second US military strike targeting an alleged Venezuelan drug boat. The operation killed three men aboard the vessel in international waters. Venezuelan President Maduro had previously called the first strike unlawful and accused Washington of fabrication. Communication channels between the two countries have been severed according to Maduro.

Key Points: Trump Orders Second US Military Strike on Alleged Venezuela Drug Boat

  • Trump orders second military strike in two weeks on alleged drug vessel
  • Three killed aboard boat in international waters operation
  • Venezuelan President Maduro previously denounced first strike as unlawful
  • Maduro claims US fabricates drug claims for regime change
2 min read

Trump claims US military again strikes alleged Venezuelan drug boat, killing three

President Trump announces second kinetic strike against Venezuelan drug trafficking cartels in two weeks, killing three aboard vessel in international waters.

"These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to US National Security - Donald Trump"

Washington, Sep 16

US President Donald Trump said that the US military launched the second strike in two weeks targeting an alleged drug boat from Venezuela, killing three men aboard the vessel in international waters.

"This morning, on my Orders, US Military Forces conducted a SECOND Kinetic Strike against positively identified, extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility," Trump wrote on social media.

"These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to US National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital US Interests," he said.

Trump's post also includes a video marked "unclassified," showing that a vessel caught fire in unknown waters.

On September 2, Trump ordered a US military strike in international waters on a vessel allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, killing 11 people onboard, whom Trump described as all "positively identified Tren de Aragua (TDA) Narcoterrorists."

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro later denounced the first US strike as "unlawful." He accused Washington of fabricating drug trafficking claims to justify its regime change attempt, insisting that Venezuela is free of coca cultivation and cocaine production, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Venezuelan side has not yet commented on the second US strike.

Maduro said at a press conference Monday that channels of communication between the United States and Venezuela have been severed by Washington.

He blamed the breakdown on "threats and blackmail" from Washington, while stressing that Venezuela has "managed to preserve peace" despite provocations from the United States.

Maduro added that Venezuela is exercising its legitimate right to defend itself against political, diplomatic and potential military aggression.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As an Indian, I've seen how the war on drugs affects ordinary people. These strikes might look strong on TV, but they rarely solve the root problem. The demand in the US drives this trade - maybe address that first? 🤔
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Michael C
The timing is suspicious right before elections. Trump's using military action as campaign propaganda. Reminds me of how some politicians here in India also use national security for political gains.
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Ananya R
️‍🩹 Loss of human life is always tragic. Were these really "narcoterrorists" or just poor fishermen caught in geopolitical games? The US should provide concrete evidence, not just social media posts.
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Vikram M
Venezuela has every right to defend its sovereignty. The US can't just act as world police. Remember Iraq and WMDs? Many claims turned out to be false. International community should demand proper investigation.
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Sarah B
While I don't support extrajudicial killings, let's not forget that drug cartels destroy millions of lives globally. Maybe if Venezuela cooperated more with international anti-drug efforts, such extreme measures wouldn't be "necessary."

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