The recent U.S. military action takes place amid rising tensions with the Venezuelan government, driven by the escalation of military surveillance in the Caribbean. Photo: U.S. Army / Alicia Brand
Guacamaya, September 15, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the attack and sinking of a new vessel, allegedly originating from the Venezuelan coast and carrying drug shipments. In this latest U.S. military offensive, part of its armed deployment in the Caribbean, three men were reported dead.
Through his Truth Social account, Trump publicly stated that the military carried out the operation under his direct orders, describing it as a strike against actors linked to drug trafficking. He warned of the persistence and growth of drug flows from Venezuela and pointed to groups such as the Tren de Aragua, which he claims are under the control of the Maduro government.
“This morning, under my orders, U.S. Military Forces carried out a SECOND Kinetic Strike against drug cartels and narcoterrorists, positively identified and extraordinarily violent, within the Southern Command’s area of responsibility,” Trump declared. He added that the crew members were in international waters transporting illegal narcotics.
The announcement comes one day after Trump stated he would not rule out further military actions against what he calls drug trafficking structures in Venezuela. Two weeks ago, the U.S. government confirmed an earlier attack on a vessel carrying approximately 11 people.
On the Venezuelan side, just minutes earlier, President Nicolás Maduro had told international media that communications with the U.S. government were “broken.” On Saturday, Foreign Minister Yván Gil denounced the assault and siege of a Venezuelan fishing boat by the U.S. Navy.
Since last month, the United States has deployed a military flotilla with over 4,000 troops near Venezuelan waters—a move Caracas considers aggressive and a violation of its sovereignty, a stance supported by some regional allies. Washington, meanwhile, argues that its actions are aimed at combating drug trafficking and protecting the country from terrorist groups.
