11 Suspected Smugglers Killed Near Venezuela, Trump’s VP Defends Operation

Washington — U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has defended a military operation in which 11 people were killed last week after a suspected drug-smuggling boat was targeted off the coast of Venezuela.

Speaking Tuesday, Vance said the strike was part of President Donald Trump’s strategy to escalate the fight against criminal cartels in Latin America, which Washington regards as a direct threat to U.S. national security.

According to Politico, Vance stated: “The message is clear … the United States will not tolerate networks that spread chaos through drugs and cross-border terrorism.” He added that the operation was part of a broader plan to restrict the freedom of movement of such groups in the Caribbean, noting that Venezuela has become a “safe haven” for trafficking networks in recent years.

Vance acknowledged, however, that the operation had raised “concerns about legal requirements,” pointing to mounting criticism from legal experts and lawmakers — including both Democrats and some Republicans. Critics warned that the strike risked setting a dangerous precedent for the use of lethal force without due judicial process.

Human rights activists and civil society groups have also voiced alarm, arguing that giving the military broad authority to directly target smugglers and suspects could lead to large-scale abuses. Several senators cautioned that employing lethal force against an unarmed vessel could damage America’s credibility as a defender of the rule of law.

The White House has maintained that the strike was “necessary and justified,” but the controversy underscores tensions over the administration’s hard-line approach.

The development comes as President Trump seeks to project a tougher stance against threats from the southern region. In recent remarks, he has threatened to use “maximum force” against cartels operating in Venezuela and Colombia.