The United States military has carried out its second strike on what US President Donald Trump described as a Venezuelan drug boat, killing three people in international waters on Monday.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the strike targeted “male terrorists” accused of transporting drugs. The post also included a video that appeared to show a boat being destroyed at sea. “BE WARNED — IF YOU ARE TRANSPORTING DRUGS THAT CAN KILL AMERICANS, WE ARE HUNTING YOU!” Trump said.
The MAGA chief claimed the strike took place Monday morning but did not disclose the exact location. He only said it was within the US Southern Command’s area of responsibility, which spans the Caribbean Sea and South America. Trump also claimed that no American forces were harmed.
This strike comes two weeks after the US military attacked another vessel in the Caribbean, which Trump said was carrying drugs. Eleven people were killed in that operation, reports CBS News.
Tensions between Washington and Caracas have risen sharply in recent weeks. The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government of working with gangs and drug cartels, allegations Maduro denies. In August, US doubled the reward for Maduro’s capture to $50 million.
US has also deployed several naval vessels to waters off Venezuela. This was condemned by Maduro’s government which called it an “absolutely criminal and bloody threat.” Venezuela has since stationed troops along its coast in response.
Earlier this month, Venezuelan fighter jets were spotted near a US naval ship on two occasions, incidents described by US defence officials as a “show of force” and a “game of chicken.”
The row intensified further on Saturday when Venezuela accused the US of seizing a fishing boat for eight hours. Caracas branded the episode a “direct provocation” and claimed Washington was searching for an excuse to remove Maduro from power.
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