U.S. Blows Up Drug Boat "Narco-Terrorists Will Face the Same Fate!"

Hegseth Warns "Narco-Terrorists Will Face the Same Fate" After U.S. Military Strikes Boat Off Venezuela

In a bold move signaling a new, aggressive stance against drug trafficking, the United States military has struck and destroyed a vessel in international waters off the coast of Venezuela. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a stark warning following the strike: "Anyone else trafficking in those waters who we know is a designated narco-terrorist will face the same fate."

The operation, confirmed by President Trump, targeted a boat allegedly carrying drugs and linked to the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuela-based organized crime group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the previous administration. Trump stated the strike resulted in 11 fatalities.

Here's what we know about this developing situation:

• The Target: A boat allegedly associated with the Tren de Aragua, believed to be involved in drug trafficking.
• Location: International waters off the coast of Venezuela.
• Outcome: The vessel was destroyed in a military strike.
• Casualties: President Trump reported 11 fatalities.
• U.S. Rationale: Hegseth asserted the strike was a precision attack, stating, "We knew exactly who was in that boat, we knew exactly what they were doing, and we knew exactly who they represented... trying to poison our country with illicit drugs."

Hegseth, speaking on "Fox & Friends," emphasized the administration's commitment to combating drug trafficking. He stated, "President Trump is willing to go on offense in ways that others have not been" when dealing with drug smugglers.

The Secretary of Defense further elaborated on the U.S. military's continued presence in the Caribbean, indicating that this strike is not an isolated incident. "This is a deadly, serious mission for us and it won't stop with just this strike," he cautioned.

This action follows President Trump's directive last month to target drug cartels in Latin America. In August, the U.S. announced an increased naval presence near Venezuela as part of an anti-drug cartel mission. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded by deploying warships and drones to Venezuela's coastline, denouncing the U.S. move as an "extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral and absolutely criminal and bloody threat."

While the U.S. has not indicated plans for a direct strike against Venezuela, the Trump administration has repeatedly accused Maduro's government of collaborating with drug cartels and groups like Tren de Aragua. In 2020, a U.S. federal court charged Maduro with narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, allegations he denies. A **$50 million reward** remains in place for Maduro's arrest.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the drugs aboard the destroyed vessel were destined for Trinidad and Tobago or another Caribbean nation. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, reportedly praised the U.S. strike.

The U.S. military's action sends a clear message: the fight against narco-terrorism is escalating, and those involved in drug trafficking in the region will face severe consequences. As Hegseth concluded, "Nicolas Maduro, as he considers whether to be a narco-trafficker, has decisions to make."

Tags: US strike, Venezuelan boat, drug trafficking, Caribbean, narco terrorist, Trump, Tren de Aragua, international waters, boat strike, organized crime, Pete Hegseth, Nicolas Maduro

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth-narco-terrorists-venezuela-boat-strike-response/