New Details on U.S. Attack on Venezuelan Ship; Three Killed

Donald Trump reiterated accusations against Caracas, announcing that the U.S. carried out another attack on a Venezuelan vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking, resulting in three fatalities.

According to Rokna, Trump, President of the United States, stated on Monday that U.S. military forces had launched an attack against a Venezuelan ship heading toward the United States, suspected by him of carrying narcotics. This represents the second similar attack on a Venezuelan vessel in recent weeks, intensifying tensions in the Caribbean and drawing international criticism.

Trump asserted that three men were killed in the operation and claimed that the incident occurred in international waters. However, he provided no evidence to support his allegation that the ship was carrying illegal drugs.

In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote: “This morning, under my orders, U.S. military forces carried out a second physical strike against positively identified violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists in the Southern Command area of responsibility.”

The U.S. President reiterated prior accusations against Caracas, stating: “These highly violent drug trafficking cartels pose a threat to the national security, foreign policy, and vital interests of the United States.”

The U.S. Southern Command is the military command responsible for operations covering 31 countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean. Trump’s post also included an approximately 30-second video marked “Unclassified,” appearing to show a ship exploding and burning in the water.

Later on Monday, Trump claimed: “We have the evidence; just look at the cargo… scattered across the ocean; large bags of cocaine and fentanyl.”

Reuters conducted initial verification of the video using an AI-based tool. However, the video was partially blurred, making it impossible to confirm whether it had been manipulated. The agency reported that a full verification process is ongoing.

Venezuela’s Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The attack comes amid a significant increase in U.S. military presence in the southern Caribbean. Five American F-35 fighter jets were observed landing in Puerto Rico on Saturday, following Trump’s directive to deploy ten stealth fighters to the force buildup. At least seven U.S. destroyers and warships, along with a nuclear submarine, are also present in the region.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump suggested that similar operations could be conducted on land against suspected traffickers. He stated: “When they come by land, we will stop them just as we stopped the ships. Though perhaps with a little talking, it might not be necessary.”

Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth informed sailors and Marines aboard a ship near Puerto Rico that their deployment to the Caribbean was not for training purposes but to serve as the “frontline” in a critical counter-narcotics mission.

On Monday, Hegseth posted on X detailing a wide-ranging mission for the U.S. military against drug traffickers, writing: “We will track them, kill them, and dismantle their networks across our hemisphere at the times and places we choose.”