'They won't be doing it again': U.S. military strike kills 11 on alleged drug boat off Venezuela
A U.S. military strike on an alleged drug boat in the southern Caribbean Sea has marked a significant escalation in the White House's war on cartels and drugs, resulting in 11 deaths.
President Donald Trump footage on social media, confirming that the U.S. military targeted a boat tied to a Venezuelan gang.
"You see the bags of drugs all over the boat. And they were hit, obviously, and they won't be doing it again. I think a lot of other people won't be doing it again when they see the video,"
The boat was allegedly transporting drugs into the United States and was operated by the notorious Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua, which the administration blames for violence and drug issues in U.S. cities.
Venezuelan leaders have criticized the video, calling it cartoonish and suggesting it was likely made using artificial intelligence.
In a separate operation, the Coast Guard intercepted another alleged drug smuggling ship carrying nearly 1,000 pounds of cocaine.
The U.S. has been increasing its naval presence in the region, prompting Venezuela's government to deploy troops along the country's coast and urge civilians to join a militia.
A federal appeals court ruled that President Trump cannot use an 18th-century wartime law to expedite deportations of migrants accused of being part of the Tren de Aragua gang.
The judges stated that the Alien Enemies Act was intended for declared wars, not peacetime immigration enforcement. The with the decision and is preparing to take the issue to the Supreme Court.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced that part of Angola Prison is being converted into a new ICE detention center, nicknamed "Louisiana Lockup," to hold more than 100 immigrants deemed the "worst of the worst."
This initiative is funded through President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" to increase deportations nationwide, with other detention sites already operating in Florida, Texas, Nebraska and Indiana.
A judge previously ordered the closure of Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" facility due to environmental concerns.
