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Vance Defends U.S. Strike on Suspected Venezuelan Drug Boat as Legal Scrutiny Grows

The White House argues the Sept. 2 action complied with the law of armed conflict.

L: Sen. Rand Paul arrives for a confirmation hearing at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on July 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. R: U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks to the press after paying his respects to victims of the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting on September 3, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Venezuelan soldiers march during the military parade as part of 214th anniversary of Venezuela's independence celebrations on July 5, 2025 in Caracas.

Overview

  • U.S. forces destroyed a vessel in international waters on Sept. 2, killing 11 people officials identified as Tren de Aragua members after the gang’s designation as a foreign terrorist organization.
  • Vice President JD Vance called killing cartel members the “highest and best use” of the military and replied “I don’t give a s—t what you call it” to a critic who labeled the strike a war crime.
  • Republican Sen. Rand Paul criticized Vance’s remarks, while Democrats including Sen. Tim Kaine said they are reviewing whether the operation bypassed congressional authority.
  • The administration maintains the strike was lawful and says the effort will continue, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledging more actions and deployments including F-35s to Puerto Rico.
  • Venezuela condemned the strike and flew jets near a U.S. warship, prompting warnings from Washington, as questions persist over public evidence identifying the dead and the alleged contraband.