Trump announces U.S. strike on Venezuelan drug vessel, eyes land trafficking next

Trump targets Venezuela drug routes

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that American forces struck another vessel suspected of carrying illegal drugs off the Venezuelan coast on Saturday evening, adding that the United States would now begin targeting drug trafficking operations on land as well.

Trump made the remarks during a speech at Naval Station Norfolk beside the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman. It was unclear whether he was referring to a strike announced earlier by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday.

That attack, the fourth in recent weeks, reportedly killed four people.

"In recent weeks, the Navy has supported our mission to blow the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water ... we did another one last night. Now we just can't find any," Trump said.

"They're not coming in by sea anymore, so now we'll have to start looking about the land because they'll be forced to go by land."

Venezuela’s communications ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, President Nicolas Maduro posted a video message on Telegram shortly after Trump’s remarks, condemning U.S. aggression and asserting that Venezuela had international backing.

"Our people have never and will never be afraid to defend their right to live and be free," Maduro said, without directly referring to Trump’s comments. "We will be ready to face any scenario."

Earlier on Sunday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had expressed “full support and solidarity” with Caracas during a phone call.

On Saturday, Gil also revealed that Maduro had sent a letter to Pope Leo XIV seeking his assistance to “consolidate peace in Venezuela.”

In a Fox News interview aired Sunday, Hegseth stated that he had “every authorization needed” to conduct the Caribbean strikes.