U.S. attack on Venezuelan crime group serving as deterrent for drug cartels, as per Trump's statement

In a surprising turn of events, the United States carried out a military strike against a Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua, marking an astonishing departure from typical US drug interdiction efforts. The operation took place in the waters off Venezuela.

The strike was conducted in response to allegations that Tren de Aragua is deeply involved in the international cocaine trade and has been designated by the US government as a foreign terrorist organization. However, it's important to note that the US government has not yet provided concrete evidence to support these claims.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of running his country "as a kingpin of a drug narco-state." Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump justified the lethal military action as a necessary effort to send a message to Latin American cartels.

The US announced plans to boost its maritime force in the waters off Venezuela to combat threats from drug cartels. Secretary of State Marco Rubio predicted that similar operations against Latin American cartels "will happen again."

However, not everyone is in agreement about the legality of the strike. Mary Ellen O'Connell, an expert on international law, questioned its legitimacy, stating that intentional killing outside armed conflict hostilities is unlawful unless it is to save a life immediately.

Jeremy McDermott, a co-founder of InSight Crime, suggested that Tren de Aragua may expand its involvement in the drug trade in the future. He noted that while the gang has no large-scale involvement in smuggling cocaine across international borders, it may delve deeper into the drug trade in the future.

Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations Juan Ramón de la Fuente underscored the importance of the Trump administration operating in the region "without subordination" and "respecting sovereignty" of allies. His sentiments were echoed, emphasizing the need for cooperation and adherence to international norms.

Before the military action, the US President and White House Press Secretary presented evidence, stating that the Tren de Aragua gang is a designated foreign terrorist organization involved in drug trafficking, attempting to smuggle drugs into the United States. This evidence was said to include the sinking of a Venezuelan boat carrying alleged gang members and a shipment capable of killing thousands of Americans.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this unprecedented action will impact the war on drugs and international relations in the region.