US Navy Strikes Alleged Drug Vessel Off Venezuela Coast at Trump's Direction

US Strikes Alleged Drug Boat Off Venezuela Coast, Trump Says In a speech at the 250th anniversary celebration of the US Navy in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday, President Donald Trump announced that US forces had struck another vessel off the coast of Venezuela, claiming it was carrying drugs illegally. According to Trump, the strike occurred on Saturday evening, and he stated that the US would now focus on addressing drug trafficking happening on land. "We're going to take a look at what's been happening on land," Trump said during his speech. "The navy has supported our mission to blow the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water." The strike is the latest in a series of operations aimed at disrupting the flow of illicit drugs into the US from Venezuela and other countries. In May, the US Navy announced it had intercepted a vessel carrying over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine off the coast of Colombia. Trump's comments on Sunday were met with applause from the thousands of sailors attending the ceremony. The President praised the US Navy for its role in combating drug trafficking, saying, "The navy has been incredible in this mission." Background and context: The issue of drug trafficking from Venezuela has been a longstanding concern for the US government. In 2019, the Trump administration imposed economic sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA, citing the country's alleged ties to international organized crime. In recent years, the US Navy has increased its presence in the Caribbean and Latin America to combat the flow of illicit drugs into the region. The service has deployed ships and aircraft to patrol waters off the coast of Venezuela and other countries, working with regional partners to disrupt drug trafficking networks. Additional perspectives: Experts say that addressing drug trafficking on land will require a more comprehensive approach, involving law enforcement agencies and international cooperation. "This is not just a military problem," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a Latin American studies expert at Georgetown University. "It requires a coordinated effort between governments, law enforcement, and local communities to disrupt the networks and hold those responsible accountable." Current status and next developments: The US Navy has not released further details on the strike, including the identity of the vessel or its cargo. However, Trump's comments suggest that the administration is committed to addressing the issue of drug trafficking from Venezuela. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US will balance its efforts to combat illicit drugs with concerns about regional stability and human rights. *Reporting by Theguardian.*