Trump authorities declare boat collision as initiation of crackdown on Venezuelan drug trafficking organizations

In a surprising turn of events, a Venezuelan boat was intercepted and attacked by the U.S. Navy in international waters on Wednesday. The incident marked a departure from the decades-long approach towards Latin American drug cartels.

The boat, crewed by 11 people, was suspected of smuggling drugs, although it was not known for handling large shipments of cocaine or fentanyl. According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the U.S. knew exactly who was on the boat and what they were doing, but did not offer any evidence.

President Trump claimed 11 members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a group declared a terrorist organization by the Trump administration, were killed in the strike. However, it is unclear whether the 11 people aboard the vessel were given a chance to surrender before the U.S. attacked. Any evidence of drug smuggling on the boat was destroyed in the attack.

The Trump administration has been vocal about its campaign against Venezuelan drug cartels. Last month, President Trump signed a still-secret directive instructing the Pentagon to use military force against some Latin American drug cartels that his administration has labeled "terrorist" organizations.

The Tren de Aragua has been under scrutiny for its alleged involvement in criminal activities, including human smuggling, sex trafficking, and assault. A separate indictment accused 27 other current or former Tren de Aragua members of these crimes, but said nothing about gang members shipping illegal narcotics out of Venezuela.

The Pentagon has been amassing a small armada of warships in the southern Caribbean, indicating a potential escalation in the U.S.'s efforts against Venezuelan drug cartels. The administration has not, however, received authorization from Congress for any armed conflict against Tren de Aragua or Venezuela.

The designation of Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization does not authorize combat activity against them. This means that while the U.S. has the right to conduct and justify the attack on the Venezuelan drug boat, it does not have the authority to engage in full-scale military operations against the group.

President Trump's post on social media was accompanied by a video of the strike, further emphasizing the U.S.'s aggressive stance against Venezuelan drug cartels. The Trump administration declared the start of a new campaign against Venezuelan cartels, although the specifics of this campaign remain unclear.

This incident has raised questions about the U.S.'s approach towards Latin American drug cartels and its adherence to international law. As the situation continues to unfold, it is important to maintain a clear and factual understanding of the events as they transpire.