President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that US forces had struck another vessel off the coast of Venezuela on Saturday evening, claiming it was illegally carrying drugs. He made the remarks during a speech at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, celebrating the US Navy's 250th anniversary.
Speaking next to the aircraft carrier Harry S Truman, Trump said the navy had supported the mission 'to blow the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water'. He added that if drug smugglers were forced to use land routes, 'that's not going to work out well for them either'.
The United Nations has condemned such strikes as extrajudicial executions, stating that 'international law does not allow governments to simply murder alleged drug traffickers'. The US defends the actions as countering 'narco-terrorist' members of Tren de Aragua in international waters.
The navy celebrations took place amid a federal government shutdown that has left some military personnel unpaid. Trump accused Democrats of enabling the shutdown and attempting 'to destroy this wonderful celebration'. He insisted 'the show must go on'.
Trump has pledged to rebuild the navy's shipbuilding capacity, which is at its smallest since before World War II, while Chinese shipyards have surpassed US productivity. Navy Secretary John Phelan has ordered an accelerated production schedule for submarine programs.
The event also followed turmoil at the Pentagon, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declaring an end to 'woke' culture and new 'gender-neutral' physical fitness standards. Hegseth stated the military's sole mission is 'warfighting, preparing for war and preparing to win'.
