Trump orders second strike on alleged Venezuelan drug vessel, escalating US military buildup and fueling tensions with Maduro.

The strike comes amid a growing US military presence in the southern Caribbean. On Saturday, five US F-35 aircraft landed in Puerto Rico as part of a deployment of 10 stealth fighters ordered by the Trump administration. At least seven US warships and one nuclear-powered submarine are also in the region.

Speaking to reporters, Trump hinted at expanding operations beyond sea targets, “When they come by land, we’re going to be stopping them the same way we stopped the boats. But maybe by talking about it a little bit, it won’t happen.”

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, addressing sailors and Marines off Puerto Rico earlier this month, told them they were on the “front lines” of a critical counter-narcotics mission. On Monday, Hegseth posted on X, “We will track them, kill them, and dismantle their networks throughout our hemisphere at the times and places of our choosing.”

Hours before Trump’s post, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro denounced recent US actions as “aggression” and said communications between the two governments had largely ceased. The Trump administration has previously accused Maduro of links to organized crime, doubling a US reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million last month.

The latest strike follows a September 2 attack on another vessel, which US officials alleged was operated by members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. Washington claimed 11 people were killed. The Pentagon has not disclosed what drugs were on board, how much was seized, or the weapons used in the operation.

US officials said that the first boat appeared to be turning back when it was hit, raising questions about the legality of the strike. A Venezuelan official later suggested the video Trump shared of that incident had been generated with artificial intelligence, though Reuters’ review found no clear evidence of manipulation.

Venezuela, which says it has deployed tens of thousands of troops to combat trafficking, denies that any of those killed in the September strike were members of Tren de Aragua. Maduro has long accused Washington of using narcotics charges as a pretext to force him from power.

The decision to destroy suspected drug vessels rather than seize them is highly unusual. Critics argue it raises constitutional concerns, as Congress holds the authority to declare war, though presidents have historically authorised limited strikes without approval.

Democratic Senator Adam Schiff said Monday that he is drafting a resolution under the War Powers Act to force a congressional vote on limiting US military action against non-state actors without formal authorisation.

Trump, meanwhile, has directed that the Department of Defense be renamed the “Department of War,” pending congressional approval. The change would also re-title Hegseth as “Secretary of War.”(Arise News)