U.S. Marines this week executed a lethal US cartel strike Venezuela, killing 11 members of the Tren de Aragua cartel and signaling a significant shift in the Trump administration’s counter-narcotics strategy.
Marines Conduct Lethal US Cartel Strike Venezuela
The strike occurred on Tuesday against a vessel operated by Tren de Aragua. The operation resulted in the deaths of 11 cartel members, marking a departure from previous U.S. military actions.
This incident represents a tactical shift from the long-standing “seize and apprehend” operations used since the late 1980s. Former Venezuelan UN diplomat Isaias Medina described the new approach, stating, “The gloves are off.“
Rubio to Wage War on Narco-Terrorist Organizations
During a trip to Mexico on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed a change in the US narco-terrorism policy. “The President of the United States is going to wage war on narco-terrorist organizations,” Rubio said.
Rubio explained the previous policy of seizing cargo “doesn’t work.” He stated that drug cartels factor in expected losses, noting, “they know they’re going to lose 2% of their cargo – they bake it into their economics.”
The new strategy will involve more decisive action, as Rubio added, “What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them.“
Maduro Alleges Push for Venezuela Regime Change
Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro condemned the action on Monday, calling it a push for Nicholas Maduro Venezuela regime change. Maduro stated, “Venezuela is confronting the biggest threat that has been seen on our continent in the last 100 years.“
The Trump administration officially gave Tren de Aragua a terrorist designation in February. President Trump has long opposed Maduro’s regime and previously announced a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
Experts Question Regime Change Objective
Isaias Medina, a Caracas dissident, called the strike “a turning point in the fight against international organized crime.” He added that “safe harbors in international waters are no longer sanctuaries for traffickers and smugglers.“
However, some experts are skeptical that the operation’s goal is regime change. “I can’t imagine this deployment had that specifically as an objective,” said Juan Cruz, a former National Security Council senior director.
Cruz did acknowledge that regime change would be viewed favorably by the administration if it occurred as a result of the policy. He noted that President Trump “will certainly take that as a win if, for some reason, it had that outcome.“
