President Trump is stepping up efforts to pursue a key item in his domestic agenda with his battle against drug trafficking. In a Truth social post on Tuesday, Trump announced the U.S. military had completed a mission against a notorious narcoterrorist organization, known for violent acts of drug and sex trafficking. The targeted strike was carried out against a vessel in the Caribbean, killing 11 suspected drug traffickers.
“Earlier this morning, on my Orders, U.S. Military Forces conducted a kinetic strike against positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” Trump said. “TDA is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, operating under the control of Nicolas Maduro, responsible for mass murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and acts of violence and terror across the United States and Western Hemisphere.”
During his 2024 campaign, President Trump promised to take severe actions to stop the flow of fentanyl over the U.S. border, including implementing tariffs against Canada and Mexico if they did not take action to stop the trafficking of drugs across the border.
Upon taking office, President Trump signed an executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and stating such organizations posed “an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.” The order further declared a national emergency to address the threat posed by drug traffic into the U.S.
Trump stated the military strike was completed against a vessel transporting drugs illegally and caused no American casualties.
“The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea in International waters transporting illegal narcotics, heading to the United States,” Trump said. “The strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action. No U.S. Forces were harmed in this strike.”
Trump finished his comments with a warning that his administration plans to continue its vigorous defense of the U.S. against groups attempting to illegally traffic narcotics into the country.
“Please let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America,” Trump said. “BEWARE! Thank you for your attention to this matter!”