U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that military operations against cartels will continue, setting the stage for a sustained military campaign in Latin America, even though basic questions about the deadly attack on a Venezuelan ship remain unanswered.
The U.S. military killed 11 people Tuesday in an attack on a Venezuelan ship allegedly carrying illegal narcotics, the first known operation since President Donald Trump recently deployed warships to the southern Caribbean.
Little is known about the attack, including the legal justification used to carry it out, or even what drugs were on board, but Hegseth said operations would continue. “We have resources in the air, resources on the water, resources on ships, because this is a very serious mission for us, and it won’t stop with just this one attack,” the Pentagon chief said on Fox News.
“Anyone else who trafficked in those waters and who we know to be a designated narco-terrorist will suffer the same fate,” Hegseth said. He declined to elaborate on how the operation was carried out, citing classified information. It is unknown whether the boat was destroyed by a drone, a torpedo, or perhaps by other means.
Following Tuesday's attack, Trump claimed the U.S. military had identified the crew as members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, which the U.S. designated a terrorist group in February. However, the Pentagon itself has not revealed details about the crew or why it decided to kill those on board.
The decision to attack a suspected drug ship passing through the Caribbean, rather than seize it and detain its crew, is highly unusual and evokes memories of the US fight against militant groups such as al-Qaeda.
The United States has deployed warships to the southern Caribbean in recent weeks, aiming to fulfill Trump's promise to crack down on drug cartels.
Seven U.S. warships, along with a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, are in the region or expected to arrive soon, with more than 4,500 sailors and marines on board.
When asked about Venezuela's close relationship with China, Hegseth pointed to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. “The only person who should be worried is Nicolás Maduro, who is... effectively the kingpin of a narco-state,” Hegseth said.
The Trump administration's targeting of Maduro has raised alarm in Caracas that his government could be the real target.
Last month, the United States doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and criminal groups.
Venezuelan officials have repeatedly said that Tren de Aragua is no longer operating in their country after it was dismantled during a prison raid in 2023.
Trump shared a video on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday that appeared to show drone footage of a speedboat at sea exploding and then catching fire during Tuesday's operation.
Venezuelan Communications Minister Freddy Nanez suggested in a social media post that the video Trump shared was created using artificial intelligence.
Reuters conducted initial checks on the video, including a review of its visual elements, using a tamper detection tool that showed no evidence of manipulation. However, thorough verification is an ongoing process, and Reuters will continue to review the footage as more information becomes available.
