A boat is seen in international waters before a strike by the US military near Venezuela
Share and Follow

() President Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Venezuela Monday hours before announcing that the U.S. military targeted a second boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, killing three aboard the vessel.

Trump announced the strike in a posting on social media.

“The Strike occurred while these confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela were in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics (A DEADLY WEAPON POISONING AMERICANS!) headed to the U.S.,” Trump said in a Truth Social post announcing the strike. “These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to U.S. National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital U.S. Interests.”

Monday’s strike comes on the heels another military strike two weeks ago on what the Trump administration says was a drug-carrying speedboat from Venezuela that killed 11.

“We’ll see what happens,” Trump said Sunday in response to a question about the possibility of U.S. strikes on the Latin American nation. “Look, Venezuela is sending us their gang members, their drug dealers and drugs. It’s not acceptable.”

Just days ago, personnel from a U.S. warship boarded a Venezuelan tuna boat with nine fishermen over the weekend as it was sailing in Venezuelan waters, the country’s foreign minister said Saturday.

Tensions between the two nations escalated after Trump in August ordered the deployment of warships in the Caribbean, citing the fight against Latin American drug cartels.

While reading a statement Saturday, Foreign Minister Yván Gil told journalists the Venezuelan tuna boat was “illegally and hostilely boarded by a U.S. Navy destroyer” and 18 armed personnel who remained on the vessel for eight hours, preventing communication and the fishermen’s normal activities. They were then released under escort by the Venezuelan Navy.

The fishing boat had authorization from the Ministry of Fisheries to carry out its work, Gil said at a news conference, during which he presented photos of the incident.

The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of helping to flood the U.S. with drugs, and doubled a reward from $25 million to $50 million for information leading to his arrest.

The U.S. government has given no indication it plans to carry out a ground incursion with the more than 4,000 troops deployed in the area.

But the Venezuelan government has nonetheless called on its citizens to enlist in the militias armed volunteers in support of its security forces in the event of a potential incursion. On Saturday, it urged them to go to military barracks for training sessions.

Trump’s “we’ll see” comment came just days after the president pushed back on Maduro’s claim that the U.S. was “seeking a regime change through military threat.”

“We’re not talking about (regime change), but we are talking about the fact that you had an election which was a very strange election, to put it mildly,” Trump said when asked about Maduro’s comment.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

  • A boat is seen in international waters before a strike by the US military near Venezuela
  • A boat is seen on fire after a strike by the US military near Venezuela
  • A boat is seen on fire after a strike by the US military near Venezuela
  • A boat is seen on fire after a strike by the US military near Venezuela
Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Republicans pitch second, smaller partisan bill to address affordability

GOP Unveils New Bill Aimed at Tackling Affordability Challenges

As the midterm elections draw near, some Republicans are contemplating a new…
Rabbi slams Australia over Bondi murder of two Jewish leaders, one with ‘deep US ties’

Rabbi Criticizes Australia After Tragic Bondi Murder of Two Jewish Leaders, Including One with Strong US Connections

A prominent New York rabbi has sharply criticized Australia for its “inaction”…
Monstrous shark Cardabiodontids ruled ancient Australian seas before megalodon

Ancient Cardabiodontid Sharks Dominated Australian Waters Long Before Megalodon

During the dinosaur era, long before creatures like whales, great white sharks,…
New details about Bondi Beach gunman

Breaking: Unveiling New Insights on the Bondi Beach Gunman Case

The mother of the young man responsible for the tragic attack at…
Abraham Quintanilla Jr., father of Selena, dies at 86

Remembering Abraham Quintanilla Jr.: A Tribute to Selena’s Father and Legacy at 86

In a poignant loss for the music world, Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr.,…
Man recalls stomping on head of alleged Bondi shooter

Heroic Bystander Describes Brave Act Against Alleged Bondi Shooter

A witness to the tragic Bondi Beach shooting has shared his account…
Revealed: The second hero who died trying to stop Bondi terror gunmen

Unveiled: The Second Hero Who Fell While Confronting Bondi Terror Assailants

A man who lived through the harrowing attack at Bondi Beach recounted…
At least 10 dead after mass shooting during Hanukkah event on Australia's Bondi Beach

Tragedy Strikes Bondi Beach: Mass Shooting at Hanukkah Event Leaves 10 Dead in Australia

A tragic mass shooting unfolded during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach…