US Escalates Illegal Strikes on Venezuela: Trump Claims Second Vessel Targeted
Critics warn Washington’s unilateral killings set dangerous precedent. Maduro pledged that Venezuela would defend itself against what he described as foreign aggression.
United States, PUREWILAYAH.COM - US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that American forces had carried out a second strike on a Venezuelan vessel, killing three people he labeled as “terrorists transporting narcotics.”
The claim, issued through his Truth Social account, included a video of a boat exploding in flames.
Trump insisted the attack was justified under his constitutional Article 2 powers, portraying the victims as members of the Tren de Aragua gang.
Yet, little verifiable evidence has been presented, and questions linger as to whether the vessel was in fact a fishing boat.
By branding the dead as “narco-terrorists,” Trump appeared to be shielding himself from legal and international backlash.
Military Buildup in the Region
The strike comes amid a heavy US military deployment around Venezuela. Five F-35 jets were moved to Puerto Rico, joining Navy destroyers and the Iwo Jima amphibious group with more than 6,000 sailors and Marines.
While Trump has so far avoided openly committing to operations on Venezuelan soil, the scale of the mobilization has raised alarm across the region.
Domestic and International Reactions
Democratic lawmakers in Washington have condemned the unilateral use of lethal force. Senator Adam Schiff accused Trump of “lawless killings” that could invite reciprocal attacks on US forces abroad.
From Caracas, President Nicolas Maduro lashed out at Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling him the “Lord of Death and War.” Maduro pledged that Venezuela would defend itself against what he described as foreign aggression.
Regional Alarm and Rising Fears
Observers note that Venezuela’s allies, as well as regional governments, are increasingly concerned that Washington’s escalating moves could push the hemisphere toward open conflict.
Spain’s El País reported that officials close to Maduro now fear a full invasion, with one senior aide saying: “All that’s left is for them to shoot at the buildings we’re sitting in.”
For many, Trump’s strikes represent not a fight against narcotics, but a reckless show of force designed to intimidate adversaries abroad and galvanize his domestic base—at the expense of international law and human lives. (PW)