As the Trump administration continues its war against Venezuelan drug cartels, which risk the lives of Americans, the Pentagon revealed that a 22nd attack against a boat carrying drugs was carried out.
For months, the Trump administration has released videos on social media documenting the strikes that occur on international waters.
Such action has been taken to deter drug cartels from illegally trafficking drugs into the U.S., which accounts for the deaths of thousands of Americans yearly.
On Thursday, the Pentagon shared footage of its latest attack on Venezuela’s money network: drug cartels.
The strike differed from the 21 others that were conducted in past months, given that the most recent took place just off the coast of Venezuela, while the rest were in the Caribbean Ocean, as Trending Politics reported. According to the outlet, 85 deaths have taken place as part of the U.S. attacks.
The Pentagon released a statement explaining the operation.
“On Dec. 4, at the direction of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization,” the statement read.
“Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed,” it went on.
Despite criticism from Democrats over the “war crimes” committed by the Trump administration, President Donald Trump has remained defiant and pledged that a “war” could break out with Venezuela in the near future.
While speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, the president praised his administration’s efforts in the ongoing conflict against Venezuela, noting that such efforts are saving thousands of lives daily. He suggested that an escalation against the South American country could occur in the future.
“I think you’re going to find that this is war… very soon we’re going to start doing it on land, too,” he said.
A day prior, during a Cabinet meeting, Trump emphasized the need for the U.S. to eliminate all drug boats.
“I want those boats taken out, and if we have to, we’ll attack on land also…we’re saving hundreds of thousands of lives with those pinpoint attacks,” the president said.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the president’s remarks and praised Navy Admiral Frank Bradley for his decisive leadership in targeting the drug boats.
“Admiral Bradley made the correct decision to ultimately sink the boat and eliminate the threat…we have his back, and the American people are safer…” Hegseth said.
Trump is facing strong criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, including Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R), over his attacks on Venezuela.
On X, Paul shared an op-ed piece that he wrote for the Daily Caller in which he argued that a presidential administration lacks the authority to take war-related actions.
“We should not allow unchecked power in this or any other administration. It is our job in Congress to declare war or not, and we have for too long allowed administrations to wield a power they do not have,” the Kentucky Republican wrote.
