Donald Trump drew attention this month by defending a U.S. military strike on alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers while making exaggerated claims about drug deaths. Earlier in September, Trump announced on Truth Social that U.S. forces had destroyed a boat operated by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in international waters. He said the strike killed 11 “narcoterrorists” transporting drugs bound for the U.S., with no American casualties.
“Please let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America. BEWARE!” Trump wrote. The operation drew criticism from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who called it illegal. In response, Trump told Fox News: “What’s illegal are the drugs… and the fact that 300 million people died last year from drugs.”
