Republican Senator Rand Paul has criticised Vice-President JD Vance for what he called 'despicable' comments defending a US military strike against a Venezuelan boat. The strike, which killed 11 people the administration alleged were drug traffickers, took place in the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday.
In a post on X on Saturday, Vance wrote: 'Killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military.' He added: 'Democrats: let's send your kids to die in Russia. Republicans: actually let's protect our people from the scum of the earth.'
Paul, who chairs the Senate committee on homeland security and government affairs, responded on X: 'JD “I don’t give a shit” Vance says killing people he accuses of a crime is the “highest and best use of the military.” Did he ever read To Kill a Mockingbird? Did he ever wonder what might happen if the accused were immediately executed without trial or representation? What a despicable and thoughtless sentiment it is to glorify killing someone without a trial.'
President Donald Trump has vowed further military action against alleged traffickers, saying 'there's more where that came from'. The attack has inflamed tensions between the US and Venezuela, with some fearing full military conflict. Last month, the US offered a $50m bounty for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and in July signed a secret mandate approving military action against Latin American cartels deemed terrorist organisations.
