Trump used guided missile to attack "drug boat." Making drug war a real war.

AI Overview

In early September 2025, the U.S. military used a guided missile in the Caribbean Sea to strike and sink a boat allegedly originating from Venezuela and carrying narcotics .

This action is part of a U.S. counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism operation against designated cartels linked to the Venezuelan government.

Details of the strike

Target: A speedboat that U.S. officials identified as belonging to the Tren de Aragua gang, a group designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization.

Casualties: U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, stated that 11 individuals were killed in the strike, and there were no U.S. casualties.

Location: The strike took place in international waters.

Proof: President Trump posted video footage of the strike on his social media account. BBC Verify and other outlets reported that the footage did not appear to be fake.

Legal questions: The strike's legality under international law has been questioned by legal experts, who have argued that the use of lethal force in this context is dubious.

Broader context of U.S. military presence

Military buildup: The strike occurred amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. This includes the deployment of multiple guided-missile destroyers, other warships, an attack submarine, and several thousand military personnel.

Escalating tensions: Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have heightened since the strike. Venezuelan military aircraft have since conducted provocative flights near a U.S. Navy vessel in international waters, and the U.S. has responded by deploying F-35 fighter jets to the region.

Further actions: The Trump administration has indicated that more strikes may occur as part of its ongoing campaign. It is also reportedly weighing the possibility of strikes against drug cartel targets inside Venezuela itself.