The United States military has conducted a "lethal strike" against a vessel originating from Venezuela, which was reportedly involved in drug trafficking in the southern Caribbean. The operation, confirmed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is part of a broader U.S. strategy to intensify maritime interdiction efforts against Latin American drug cartels.
The U.S. naval presence for this operation included seven warships, such as the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale, supported by a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine and over 4,500 personnel. Advanced intelligence was gathered using P-8 surveillance planes.
In response to the U.S. action, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ordered increased troop deployments along the country's coast and border with Colombia. He also called for citizens to enlist in civilian militias, accusing the U.S. of fabricating a drug trafficking narrative as a pretext to destabilize his government. The U.S. has stated it has no intentions of initiating a land operation within Venezuela.
This maritime strike is part of a larger U.S. initiative led by the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to combat drug trafficking networks. Operation Martillo, a joint effort with European and Western Hemisphere partners, targets trafficking routes along the Central American coast. U.S. military involvement typically supports law enforcement agencies in interdiction operations, particularly in international waters.
Secretary Rubio, who also serves as acting national security advisor, was confirmed as Secretary of State in January 2025 with a unanimous Senate vote. The U.S. has designated several organizations, including Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations due to their involvement in drug trafficking and other illicit activities.
The deployment of U.S. naval assets underscores a commitment to disrupting the flow of narcotics and enhancing cooperative security measures throughout the Caribbean and Latin American waters. The U.S. Coast Guard has also been actively engaged in interdiction efforts, with operations like Pacific Viper resulting in significant drug seizures.