Trump says three more Venezuelan terrorists killed in sea strike

The military conducted another strike Monday morning against Venezuelan drug traffickers on international waters, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. The strike killed three male terrorists headed for the United States with illegal narcotics, Trump said in his announcement on the Truth Social platform. The post included footage appearing to show the alleged terrorists’ boat exploding in flames from the strike.

Why does this matter? The latest strike comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Nearly a dozen alleged cartel members were killed in a similar maritime strike last month. Trump has repeatedly accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of supporting the Venezuelan drug cartels, despite Maduro’s repeated denials. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has attempted to end protected legal status for thousands of Venezuelans in America (a federal judge has blocked the move), deployed military aircraft and Navy destroyers near Venezuela, and offered more than $50 million for Maduro’s arrest.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report earlier this month about U.S. officials claiming Venezuela intentionally flew aircraft close to a U.S. vessel in an attempt to disrupt operations against drug traffickers.