Defending America with Decisive Action

Today, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent a powerful message to drug traffickers, detailing a U.S. military strike that obliterated a Venezuelan drug boat in the Caribbean, eliminating 11 suspected Tren de Aragua narco-terrorists.

Speaking on Fox & Friends, Hegseth declared, “It’s a new day. It’s a different day, and… this is an activity the United States is not going to tolerate in our hemisphere.”

This operation, executed in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility, reflects the Trump administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting American communities from the scourge of illegal drugs flooding our streets.

President Donald Trump shared dramatic footage of the fiery explosion on Truth Social, emphasizing that no U.S. forces were harmed and warning, “Please let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America. BEWARE!”

Precision Strike Against Narco-Terrorists

The strike targeted a vessel operated by Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration for its role in drug trafficking, violence, and destabilizing activities across the Americas.

Hegseth dismissed claims by Venezuela’s Minister of Communication and Information, Freddy Nanez, who called the attack video AI-generated, asserting, “I can tell you that was definitely not artificial intelligence. I watched it live.”

He added, “We knew exactly who was in that boat. We know exactly what they were doing, and we knew exactly who they represented.” The operation, conducted in international waters, was a precise hit against a “narco-terrorist organization” intent on “poison[ing]” the U.S. with illicit drugs.

This action is further bolstered with the administration’s deployment of over 4,500 Marines and sailors and seven warships, including the USS Lake Erie and USS Iwo Jima, to the Caribbean, signaling a no-nonsense approach to safeguarding the homeland.

Protecting the American People

Hegseth said that this strike is just the beginning, vowing, “It won’t stop with just this strike. Anyone else trafficking in those waters, who we know is a designated narco-terrorist, will face the same fate, and it’s important for the American people to protect our homeland and protect our hemisphere.”

The Trump administration’s aggressive stance, backed by a July directive authorizing military force against cartels, prioritizes the safety and prosperity of everyday Americans over the interests of foreign criminals.

Unlike previous administrations, which often relied on diplomacy or limited law enforcement actions, Trump’s strategy empowers the military to confront threats head-on, resonating with citizens fed up with drugs and crime spilling across borders.

This operation, praised by allies like Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, sends a clear message: the U.S. will not allow narco-terrorists to exploit our hemisphere, ensuring a safer future for American families.