"For over three months, the U.S. military has repeatedly struck boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, claiming that the vessels were intending to carry drugs into the United States. Since the first attack was announced on Sept. 2, these strikes have occurred nearly every week, killing dozens of people. NPR compiled a list of these boat attacks using posts on Truth Social and X by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth."
"In a post on X on Nov. 4, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to "find and and terminate EVERY vessel with the intention of trafficking drugs to America to poison our citizens," adding that "NO cartel terrorist stands a chance against the American military." Of specific interest to Trump is targeting Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang that his administration designated a foreign terrorist organization in January 2025."
U.S. forces have repeatedly struck vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean over more than three months, with attacks nearly every week and resulting in dozens of deaths. Posts on Truth Social and X by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth show grainy video footage of vessels being blown up. The administration has not publicly released additional evidence that the boats carried drugs or identified those on board. Select lawmakers have received briefings, and some congressional leaders have requested more information. The campaign is part of a strategy targeting so-called "narco-terrorists," with particular focus on Tren de Aragua, designated a foreign terrorist organization in January 2025. The Venezuelan government denies involvement in drug trafficking.
Read at www.npr.org
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