Trump: Venezuela among the worst among group of ‘bad actors’

Trump: Venezuela among the worst among group of ‘bad actors’

President Donald Trump has underscored Venezuela's role as one of the primary sources of drug trafficking into the United States, following a recent military strike against a drug-carrying vessel in the southern Caribbean. The strike, announced on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, targeted a vessel operated by the Tren de Aragua gang, a designated narco-terrorist organization [1].

The operation resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals identified as members of the gang. The strike was conducted while the vessel was in international waters, and no U.S. forces were harmed [2]. The move comes as part of an ongoing U.S. effort to combat drug trafficking from Venezuela, which has been expanded to include the deployment of naval forces in the region.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the strike, stating that the vessel was run by a "designated narco-terrorist organization" [1]. Trump emphasized the significance of the strike, noting that it was aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States [2].

In response to the U.S. actions, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered troop deployments along the coast and border with Colombia, urging Venezuelans to join civilian militias. Maduro has also criticized the U.S. mobilization, labeling it an "extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral and absolutely criminal and bloody threat" [1].

The strike has drawn international attention and criticism, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Colombian President Gustavo Petro publicly opposing the U.S. moves in the Caribbean. They have warned that the actions could escalate tensions in the region [1].

Trump's comments on the strike highlight Venezuela's role as a key transit hub for cocaine, a concern that has been echoed by administration officials in recent weeks [1]. The U.S. has been expanding its naval presence in the Caribbean, with the White House stating that the move is aimed at targeting the drug trade out of Venezuela [1].

The ongoing tension between the U.S. and Venezuela has increased following Trump's return to the White House in January. The U.S. Navy has mobilized around 4,500 troops around the Caribbean, with the White House stating this was to target the drug trade out of Venezuela to the U.S. [1].

Further actions by the U.S. Navy against Venezuela are not immediately clear, but Trump has promised more details on the strike later in the day [1]. The strike and subsequent reactions underscore the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region and the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking.

References:

[1] https://www.newsweek.com/trump-military-strike-venezuela-drug-cartels-navy-warships-2123395
[2] https://www.ksby.com/politics/foreign-policy/us-military-sank-vessel-carrying-drugs-that-departed-from-venezuela-trump-says