On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered firm support for President Donald Trump’s decision to attack a vessel controlled by a drug cartel off the coast of Venezuela. Rubio emphasized that the U.S. will no longer watch idly when faced with “narco-terrorism.”

When asked about the Marine operation that targeted the vessel in the southern Caribbean, allegedly transporting members of the Tren de Aragua to the U.S. with drugs, Rubio stated, “We refuse to continue sitting by while these groups treat the Caribbean Sea as their personal cruise route.”

This move resulted in the deaths of 11 members of the group, which had been classified as a terrorist organization in February. It highlighted a significant departure from the U.S.’s previous strategy, which focused on capture and confiscation in tackling international criminal networks. 

Rubio further highlighted that groups like Tren de Aragua are seemingly obtaining sophisticated armaments such as drones and pose a rising threat to global security. 

“We are highly alarmed that these cartels have access to more than just landmines and grenades. We now observe these narco-terrorist factions using drone technology from bases in Venezuela,” he mentioned, emphasizing their role in endangering security in nearby nations like Columbia.

The video also showed the suspects getting their hair shaven and walking with their hands behind their necks as they are being transported from the U.S. to El Salvador in March 2025. (@nayibbukele via X)

Rubio confirmed the strategy employed on Tuesday is how the U.S. will continue to counter international narcotics and arms smuggling. 

“It’ll happen again. Maybe it’s happening right now, I don’t know. But the point is the president of the United States is going to wage war on narco-terrorist organizations,” Rubio said.