Overview

• President Donald Trump said a U.S. military strike in international waters in the southern Caribbean killed 11 alleged Tren de Aragua operatives, with videos of the attack posted by the White House and the Pentagon.
• Venezuelan officials challenged the authenticity of the released footage, with Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez asserting it was likely AI-generated based on a Gemini query, a claim that has not been independently verified.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon knew the identities and mission of those on the vessel, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued such boats pose an immediate threat and signaled similar actions will continue.
• The administration has not publicly explained the legal basis for the strike, how targets were confirmed, whether any warning was issued, or if Congress was notified, and legal experts have warned the action may violate international law.
• The strike follows a recent U.S. naval and Marine deployment to the region and a policy shift labeling certain cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, intensifying tensions with Venezuela and complicating independent verification after the vessel’s destruction.