Did Trump Confirm US Military Strikes on Venezuelan Drug Boat?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Second military strike on Venezuelan drug boat ordered by Trump.
- Three men confirmed dead after the strike in international waters.
- US cites national security concerns regarding drug trafficking.
- Venezuela's Maduro condemns the strike as unlawful.
- Potential escalation of tensions between the US and Venezuela.
Washington, Sep 16 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump announced that the US military executed a second strike within two weeks against a vessel suspected of drug trafficking from Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of three individuals aboard the boat in international waters.
“This morning, under my direction, US Military Forces carried out a SECOND Kinetic Strike against clearly identified, highly violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists operating in the SOUTHCOM region,” Trump shared on social media.
“These extremely violent drug trafficking organizations POSE A THREAT to US National Security, Foreign Policy, and essential US Interests,” he emphasized.
Trump's post also featured a video labeled “unclassified,” which showed a vessel igniting in unidentified waters.
On September 2, Trump commanded a US military strike in international waters on a ship purportedly transporting drugs from Venezuela, resulting in the death of 11 people aboard, whom Trump characterized as all “positively identified Tren de Aragua (TDA) Narcoterrorists.”
The President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, subsequently condemned the initial US strike as “unlawful.” He accused the United States of fabricating drug trafficking allegations to rationalize its attempts at regime change, asserting that Venezuela is devoid of coca cultivation and cocaine production, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The Venezuelan government has yet to respond to the second US attack.
Maduro stated during a press conference that communication channels between the United States and Venezuela have been severed due to actions from Washington.
He blamed the breakdown on “threats and blackmail” from the US, while asserting that Venezuela has “managed to maintain peace” despite provocations from the United States.
Maduro further indicated that Venezuela is exercising its rightful authority to defend itself against political, diplomatic, and potential military aggression.