Republican Senator Rand Paul, chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, has criticised Vice-President JD Vance for what he called 'despicable' and 'thoughtless' comments defending a US military strike on 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 responded on X, referencing Harper Lee's novel '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, stating 'there's more where that came from'. The attack has escalated tensions between the US and Venezuela, with Trump sending warships and marines to the Caribbean in August. Reports on Friday revealed plans to deploy 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico to support anti-drug operations.
Some observers fear the developments could lead to full military conflict. Last month, the US offered a $50m bounty for Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and in July signed a secret mandate authorising military action against Latin American cartels deemed terrorist organisations, including the Cartel de los Soles.
