Washington: The United States is poised to intensify its military actions against transnational drug cartels, following a recent operation that targeted a Venezuelan vessel in the southern Caribbean. Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth indicated on Wednesday that additional operations could be launched, underscoring the U.S. commitment to confronting narco-terrorism in the region.
Speaking on Fox News, Hegseth confirmed that the U.S. military is actively using air and naval assets to monitor and engage suspected drug trafficking networks. “Anyone identified as a designated narco-terrorist is at risk of being targeted in the same manner,” he stated, emphasizing the administration’s zero-tolerance approach toward organized narcotics operations that threaten regional and international security.
The announcement follows a dramatic U.S. military strike on a Venezuelan vessel on Tuesday, in which 11 individuals were killed. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, which marked the first known military action since his administration deployed warships to the southern Caribbean, signaling a new phase in the fight against drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.
Hegseth described the initiative as part of a broader effort to curb the influence of drug cartels that destabilize countries across the Americas. The Pentagon chief highlighted that the military would continue collaborating with allied nations in intelligence gathering, maritime patrols, and targeted strikes to dismantle cartel networks and reduce the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States.
The latest developments underline a shift in U.S. policy toward more aggressive, preemptive measures in confronting organized criminal networks. Analysts note that the operations could escalate tensions in the Caribbean and South American regions, where the presence of both U.S. forces and powerful drug cartels creates a complex security environment.
As the situation unfolds, officials have stressed that the U.S. remains committed to protecting civilians and minimizing collateral damage while taking decisive action against narco-terrorist actors. The Pentagon’s renewed focus on targeted operations reflects a strategic determination to dismantle the financial and logistical foundations of the drug trade in the Western Hemisphere.