A day after a U.S. military strike in the Caribbean destroyed a Venezuelan vessel and killed 11 suspected members of the Tren de Aragua criminal network, the Trump administration issued a stern warning to drug cartels trafficking narcotics into the United States.
During a White House meeting with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, President Donald Trump said the operation was meant to deter smugglers from attempting to move narcotics into the U.S.
“There [were] massive amounts of drugs coming into our country to kill a lot of people, and everybody fully understands that,” Trump said. “Obviously, they won’t be doing it again. And I think a lot of other people won’t be doing it again.”
Echoing the president’s remarks, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the United States will take similar action against cartels operating in the region. “This is a new day, a different day, and the United States will not allow this kind of activity in our hemisphere,” Hegseth said on Fox & Friends.
Responding to Venezuelan Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez’s claim that footage of the strike was AI-generated, Hegseth said: “I can tell you that was definitely not artificial intelligence. I watched it live. We knew exactly who was in that boat, what they were doing, and who they represented.”
While withholding operational details, Hegseth stressed the mission was carried out with “precision.”
“It won’t stop with just this strike. Anyone else trafficking in those waters, who we know is a designated narco-terrorist, will face the same fate, and it’s important for the American people to protect our homeland and protect our hemisphere,” he said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also serving as acting national security adviser, delivered a similar warning to drug cartels on Wednesday.
“The United States has long, for many, many years, established intelligence that allows us to interdict and stop drug boats, and we did that and it doesn’t work,” Rubio said during a visit to Mexico. “What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro did not comment directly on the strike but accused the U.S. of targeting Venezuela’s wealth, including its extensive oil and gas reserves. “From the neighborhoods of Caracas, I tell you there will be peace in Venezuela, with sovereignty,” he said.
Tuesday’s operation follows Trump’s order last month to boost Navy deployments near Venezuela to combat drug smuggling. In line with that directive, the Navy dispatched eight vessels, including three guided-missile destroyers to the region.
