US President Donald Trump has warned that any country he believes is producing drugs destined illegally for the United States could face military attack. Speaking at a White House press conference on Tuesday, Trump said land strikes inside Venezuela would begin "very soon", escalating his administration's campaign against alleged narco-terrorism.
Trump's comments came during a question-and-answer session following a cabinet meeting. He stated that nations manufacturing drugs such as fentanyl or cocaine for the US market are "subject to attack", echoing previous threats directed at Mexico. Trump specifically mentioned Colombia, saying he had "heard" it was producing cocaine.
The president's remarks signal a potential expansion of military operations beyond targeted strikes on vessels. He claimed knowledge of drug routes and the locations of those involved, stating: "We know where they live... we're going to start that very soon."
The cabinet meeting also saw Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provide a conflicting account of his actions during a September 2 strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat. Hegseth told the meeting he watched the first strike but did not remain for the subsequent two hours, during which two survivors were killed in a second attack. This contradicted his earlier statement to Fox News that he had observed the entire operation in real time.
The incident, which the House and Senate armed services committees are investigating as potentially illegal, involved Navy Admiral Frank M "Mitch" Bradley, who ordered the second strike. Bradley is scheduled to brief congressional committee members on Thursday.
