By: Staff Writer
September 5, 2025
The United States carried out an air strike against a boat suspected to transporting illicit narcotics from Venezuela with the intention of bringing it to the US mainland and with it 11 of its passengers were killed.
President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that US forces destroyed a vessel which he said had departed from Venezuela. He said the boat was operated by the Tren de Aragua cartel and was carrying drugs bound for the US.
US defence officials have so far declined to offer details on the strike, footage of which Trump shared on Truth Social, including what legal authority they relied upon to justify it.
Trump said the vessel was in international waters and was transporting illegal narcotics bound for the US.
The Trump administration has ratcheted up military and political pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in recent weeks, including through a $50m (£37m) reward for information leading to his arrest on drug-trafficking charges. Maduro has vowed Venezuela would fight any attempted US military intervention.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan officials allege that the US has faked the bombing of the ship, using AI to manufacture the video.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello told state broadcaster VTV the footage appeared to be AI-generated and was being used by Washington to manipulate public opinion.
“This is the latest fabrication by the US. They want to destroy the Bolivarian revolution with lies. The White House uses drug trafficking as an argument to justify military intervention,” Cabello said.
He criticized US claims that 11 people were killed in the operation. “They proudly announce they killed 11 people. This is a very sensitive issue. What about the right to defense? Some things are not clear. Doubts are emerging, but answers are not yet visible.”
Cabello also announced new training programs for volunteers joining the National Bolivarian Militia and upcoming military drills. “Here, national unity is essential for defending our homeland. Our brothers have stood on the frontlines as they should, and we are there too,” he said.