VIDEO: 11 Dead After U.S. Military Shoots Down Venezuelan Drug Vessel

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The United States carried out a deadly military strike Tuesday against a drug vessel tied to the Venezuelan cartel Tren de Aragua, President Donald Trump announced, marking a major escalation in U.S. operations against Latin American drug networks.

Trump said 11 people were killed in the strike, which took place in “international waters.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the operation as targeting a vessel that had departed from Venezuela, calling it a “lethal strike” against a cartel responsible for trafficking drugs and committing acts of violence across the hemisphere.

The strike comes amid a significant U.S. military presence in the region, with more than 4,000 Marines and sailors deployed to Caribbean and Latin American waters, giving the administration a broad range of options against drug cartels.

The buildup and strike have drawn condemnation from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who called the U.S. threat “extravagant” and “absolutely criminal.” Maduro said Venezuela has prepared for “maximum readiness” in the face of U.S. military pressure and vowed not to “bow to threats.”

The Trump administration has also increased the bounty for Maduro to $50 million for drug trafficking.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/09/02/video-11-dead-after-u-s-military-shoots-down-venezuelan-drug-vessel. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Cory Wayland

About the author

Cory Wayland is the Social Media Co-ordinator at Antigua.News, where he manages digital content strategy, audience engagement, and real-time news publications across social platforms. With a keen eye for trending topics and a commitment to factual storytelling, Cory plays a key role in shaping the online voice of Antigua.News.

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Comments (7)

  • Raphael September 2, 2025, 8:03 PM

    Trump don’t have good head
    Reply
  • Ohqell September 2, 2025, 8:11 PM

    In this day and age when waters are so much under radar these stupid venezuellans have their little keel boat loaded with drugs in open water?
    Reply
    • Faithful National #1 September 3, 2025, 8:01 AM

      Do you believe anything coming out of the warmonger Trump’s White House! Trump has been itching for an excuse, any excuse to invade Venezuela. This is straight out of the US military play book!
      Reply
  • Informed citizen September 2, 2025, 10:31 PM

    War on drugs or not, this is a human tragedy. There has to be accountability.
    Reply
  • Anesto September 3, 2025, 7:59 AM

    Finally, the U.S. taking decisive action against these violent cartels. Eleven fewer criminals poisoning the world
    Reply
  • Byron September 3, 2025, 8:00 AM

    Trump seems to be more on drugs than these people. Reading reports online, this may just be the start of a war
    Reply
  • Juju Bee September 3, 2025, 8:21 AM

    Wow and this is just the beginning. We don’t need a war in the Caribbean
    Reply

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