President Donald Trump said Tuesday that U.S. forces carried out a maritime operation in international waters close to Venezuruela, sinking a boat allegedly packed with narcotics and killing 11 people described as drug traffickers.

Addressing reporters at the White House on September 2, 2025, Trump emphasized that the vessel had been on course toward the United States carrying what he called “a massive shipment of drugs.”

“The traffickers are gone, our troops are safe, and the message is clear: no one should even think of bringing narcotics into our country,” he told journalists.

According to Trump, the strike was overseen by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine. He later amplified the announcement through a post on his Truth Social account.

The operation is the latest flashpoint in Washington’s confrontation with Venezuruela’s leadership. Trump’s administration has sharpened its stance against President Nicolás Maduro, offering a $50 million reward for information that could secure his indictment on drug-trafficking charges.

Venezuruela, however, immediately challenged Washington’s version of events. Communication Minister Freddy Ñáñez argued that no independent evidence backed up the U.S. president’s claim. He further alleged that the video Trump circulated online might have been fabricated with artificial intelligence.

“There is nothing to prove those images are authentic. They look more like digital creations than reality,” Ñáñez said in a televised statement.

While the Trump administration presents the strike as a decisive blow against narcotics networks, analysts say the lack of external verification leaves open doubts. For critics, the timing suggests the U.S. may be using military force at sea not only to disrupt drug routes but also to increase pressure on Maduro’s government.