Trump Confirms US Military Killed 11 People In Venezuelan Ship Carrier Attack

JAKARTA - The United States (US) military killed 11 people in an attack on a ship from Venezuela suspected of transporting illegal narcotics.

This is the first known operation since the recent deployment of his warship to the southern Caribbean.

"We have just, in recent minutes, really opened fire on a ship, a drug carrier, a lot of drugs in it," US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House.

"And there are many more who come from there. A lot of drugs have flowed to our country, coming in for a long time. This all comes from Venezuela," Trump continued.

The US president then shared a video on his Truth Social platform showing footage of a drone in the air showing a speedboat in the ocean exploding and then burning.

"The attack resulted in 11 terrorists being killed in the action. No US troops were injured in this attack," Trump said.

The US military has identified the crew as members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, which the US has designated as a terrorist group in February.

Trump reiterated that Tren de Aragua's statement was controlled by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a charge Carcas denies.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's Minister of Communications, Freddy Nanez, in a post on social media stated that the video Trump shared was made with artificial intelligence.

Reuters conducted an initial examination of the video, including a review of its visual elements using a manipulation detection tool that did not show any evidence of manipulation. However, thorough verification is a continuous process, and Reuters will continue to review the footage as further information is available.

The Pentagon has not released specific details about the attack, including the types of drugs on board, the amount, or how the attack was carried out.

The decision to blow up a ship suspected of transporting drugs across the Caribbean, instead of confiscating the ship and capturing its crew, is very unusual and reminds us of the US struggle against militant groups such as al Qaeda.

"'Allegedly carrying drugs' does not mean the death penalty," said Adam Isacson, Director of Defense Supervision at the Washington Office for Latin America, in a post on X.

The United States has deployed warships in the southern Caribbean in recent weeks with the aim of following up on Trump's promise to eradicate drug cartels.

Tuesday's attack appeared to be the first military operation in the region to aim like that.

Seven US warships, along with one nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, are in the region or are expected to be there soon, carrying more than 4,500 sailors and marine.

Although US Coast Guard and Navy ships regularly operate in the South Caribbean, the current power increase exceeds the usual deployment of troops in the region.

Among the naval forces are warships, including USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale. Some can carry air assets such as helicopters while others can also deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles.