American Military Target Another Drug Vessel Near Venezuelan Shoreline, President Trump Says
On Sunday, President Trump informed thousands of naval personnel stating that US forces targeted a second vessel unlawfully carrying narcotics near the coast of the South American nation the previous evening. He delivered this statement at an event marking the American navy's two hundred and fiftieth birthday at the Norfolk naval base in Virginia.
The president further declared asserting that America would also start addressing drug trafficking taking place overland. This remained certain whether Trump was referring to a strike revealed last Friday by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.
Navy's Involvement in Anti-Narcotics Missions
In his speech, Trump praised naval forces their support of operations to eliminate cartel terrorists from the seas. Trump asserted, “No more boats remain in the water. They are impossible to locate”.
US naval forces has also been deployed to join a military engagement with narcotics organizations, resulting in four strikes across Caribbean waters on alleged fast-boats involved in narcotics smuggling.
“Should drug smugglers cease arriving by sea, we must turn our attention to land routes, as they will be compelled to travel overland. Let me assure you, that will not end favorably for them,” Trump warned.
International Reaction and Juridical Issues
UN officials have condemned the US strikes—which the US defends by claiming they counter narco-terrorist members of the Tren de Aragua group, classified a foreign terrorist organization, in international waters—labeling them unlawful killings.
In September, the UN stated, “International law does not allow governments to simply murder alleged drug traffickers”. They further noted, “Illegal activities must be disrupted, examined, and prosecuted following legal standards, with international collaboration”.
Naval Celebrations Amid Government Closure
The navy celebrations occur during a closure of the federal government which has left numerous armed forces members serving unpaid. The president has accused Democrats for causing the shutdown , trying “to ruin the splendid commemoration of the Navy's anniversary”.
Friday evening, Trump posted on his social media site, “I believe, ‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON!’ This will be the largest Celebration in the History of the Navy. Thousands of our brave Active Duty Servicemembers and Military Families will be in attendance, and I look forward to this special day with all of them”.
Rebuilding Naval Capacity and Command Changes
Trump has pledged to restore the navy’s vessel construction capacity following concerns indicating the navy risks losing its position as the globe's dominant naval power.
America's naval fleet is at its smallest size since prior to the second world war, while government-supported China's shipbuilding yards exceed the output of US shipyards.
Secretary of the Navy Phelan, who was confirmed in March, noted “urgency” as lacking in naval shipbuilding , directed expedited manufacturing of new submarine classes.
The naval festivities follow months of turmoil in the Defense Department as Hegseth restructures the military’s senior command across various service branches.
New Directives and Training Proposals
In a controversial speech to senior officers recently, Hegseth declared an end of “woke” culture and introduced new directives such as “gender-neutral” or “male-level” standards in fitness tests.
“The sole objective of the reestablished Department of War is combat readiness, preparing for conflict and ensuring victory, steadfast and unwavering in this endeavor not because we desire war—nobody here does—but due to our dedication to peace,” Hegseth affirmed.
At the meeting, the president proposed using US cities as training grounds for troops and spoke of requiring military might to address what he termed the “invasion from within”.
