The U.S. military launched another lethal strike against a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific this weekend, the latest move in the Trump administration’s escalating war on international drug cartels.
According to U.S. Southern Command, the strike occurred Saturday and destroyed a vessel operated by a designated terrorist organization. Intelligence reports confirmed it was trafficking narcotics along a known drug-smuggling route.
“On Nov. 15, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization,” Southern Command announced on X. “Three male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed. The vessel was trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific and was struck in international waters.”
The incident marks at least the 21st strike on a drug-running boat or submarine since the Trump administration launched its intensified maritime interdiction strategy earlier this year.
While continuing to target what the administration calls “narco-terrorists,” President Trump opened the door on Sunday to possible diplomatic engagement with the Venezuelan regime, signaling a new phase in a complex relationship. The latest developments follow increasing tensions with Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, who has accused the U.S. of preparing for war.
Speaking to reporters Sunday evening, Trump said talks with Maduro’s government could begin “soon,” hinting at a potential backchannel or softening stance toward the embattled Venezuelan leader. However, the administration’s public position remains firm.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio took the lead in reaffirming the administration’s position, announcing Sunday that the Venezuelan drug cartel known as Cartel de los Soles — widely believed to be run by Maduro himself — has been officially designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
“Headed by the illegitimate Nicolás Maduro, the group has corrupted the institutions of government in Venezuela and is responsible for terrorist violence conducted by and with other designated FTOs as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe,” Rubio wrote on X.
The designation allows U.S. agencies to seize cartel assets, arrest members on U.S. soil, and expand military or intelligence operations targeting the group and its allies.
Meanwhile, Maduro addressed the ongoing crisis in a CNN interview Thursday during a rally in Caracas. In a message to the American people, he urged “no more endless wars” and called for a peaceful resolution to growing regional tensions.
“To unite for the peace of the Americas. No more endless wars. No more unjust wars. No more Libya. No more Afghanistan,” Maduro said. When asked for a message to President Trump, he added: “Yes peace, yes peace.”
Despite the rhetoric, Venezuela has been mobilizing its military and deploying Russian-made air-defense systems in response to increased U.S. naval and aerial surveillance in the region.
Trump’s administration has accused Maduro’s regime of playing a central role in funneling narcotics into the United States, with the Cartel de los Soles allegedly collaborating with other terrorist groups to fund its operations.
As both countries inch toward talks, the administration continues to project strength. The Navy’s expanded presence in the Pacific and Caribbean, combined with the uptick in kinetic strikes, shows no signs of slowing — even amid potential diplomatic overtures.
The post U.S. Strikes Another Drug Vessel Targeting ‘Narco-Terrorists’ As Trump Floats Talks With Venezuela appeared first on Real News Now.
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