In a bold escalation of US anti-drug operations, President Donald Trump ordered the destruction of a Venezuelan vessel suspected of carrying illegal drugs in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the deaths of 11 people.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the operation, saying traffickers posed an "immediate threat" to the United States. "Instead of interdicting it, on the President's orders, we blew it up and it'll happen again," Rubio said.
Trump identified the crew as members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang designated as a terrorist organization, claiming "massive amounts of drugs" were found on board. "We have tapes of them speaking, you see the bags of drugs all over the boat," the President added.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that US operations against cartels will continue. "Anyone else trafficking in those waters who we know is a designated narco terrorist will face the same fate," he warned.
However, the strike drew sharp criticism from legal experts over its legitimacy under international law. Mary Ellen O&rsquo;Connell, international law professor at Notre Dame, said the attack "violated fundamental principles of international law" and that the US had "no right to intentionally kill these suspects."
The Pentagon has not yet released evidence or explained why lethal force was used instead of interception. The incident marks an unprecedented escalation in America&rsquo;s efforts to target drug cartels in the region.

US Strike on Venezuelan Drug Vessel Kills 11

US destroys suspected drug ship in Caribbean; Rubio calls it crackdown on cartels

US Strike on Venezuelan Drug Vessel Kills 11

US destroys suspected drug ship in Caribbean; Rubio calls it crackdown on cartels

September 4, 2025 | 14:30 IST