US Military Target A Second Narcotics Boat Near Venezuelan Coast, President Trump Announces
Sunday, President Trump informed a large gathering of sailors stating that American military units had struck another boat unlawfully carrying drugs off the coast of Venezuela the previous evening. He delivered this statement at a ceremony marking the American navy's two hundred and fiftieth birthday at Naval Station Norfolk located in Virginia.
The president additionally stated that America will now start addressing drug trafficking occurring overland. It remained immediately clear whether he mentioned a strike revealed on Friday from Pentagon chief Secretary Hegseth.
Navy's Involvement in Anti-Narcotics Missions
In his speech, the president commended the navy for supporting the mission to “blow the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water”. Trump claimed, “There are no boats in the water anymore. You can’t find them”.
US naval forces have additionally been utilized to join a military engagement against drug cartels, leading to multiple strikes in the Caribbean on what the administration says are speedboats engaged in narcotics smuggling.
“If drug smugglers were not coming in by sea, we’ll have to start looking about the land because they’ll be forced to go by land. And let me tell you that’s not going to work out well for them either,” Trump warned.
Global Response and Juridical Concerns
UN officials has censured American military actions—which the US defends by claiming they counter “narco-terrorist” individuals belonging to Tren de Aragua, classified as a terrorist entity, in international waters—as extrajudicial executions.
In September, the UN stated, “Governments are not permitted under international law to summarily execute suspected drug traffickers”. The UN further noted, “Illegal activities must be disrupted, examined, and prosecuted following legal standards, with international collaboration”.
Naval Celebrations Amid Government Shutdown
The naval anniversary events occur amid a closure of the US government which has resulted in some military personnel serving without pay. Trump has accused Democrats for causing the government closure , attempting “to ruin the splendid commemoration of the Navy's anniversary”.
Friday evening, Trump posted on social media, “I believe, ‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON!’ This will be the largest Celebration in the History of the Navy. Thousands of our brave Active Duty Servicemembers and Military Families will be in attendance, and I look forward to this special day with all of them”.
Restoring Naval Strength and Command Shifts
Trump vowed to restore the navy’s shipbuilding capacity following concerns that the navy risks forfeiting its position as the globe's leading naval power.
The US fleet stands at its smallest size since prior to World War II, while state-subsidized Chinese shipyards have surpassed the productivity of American yards.
Navy secretary John Phelan, who was confirmed this spring, noted “urgency” as lacking in warship production and directed expedited manufacturing of the Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine programs.
The naval festivities follow months of turmoil at the Pentagon while Hegseth rearranges the armed forces' top leadership across various service branches.
Recent Directives and Preparation Proposals
During a contentious address to senior officers last week, Hegseth declared a termination to “woke” culture , unveiled new directives such as “gender-neutral” or “male-level” standards for physical fitness.
“The only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this: warfighting, preparing for war and preparing to win, unrelenting and uncompromising in that pursuit not because we want war, no one here wants war, but it’s because we love peace,” the secretary affirmed.
At the meeting, Trump proposed using US cities for military exercises for troops and spoke of needing armed strength to address what he called the “invasion from within”.
