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Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday defended President Donald Trump’s strike on a drug cartel-operated vessel off of Venezuela and vowed the U.S. will now not “sit again” in relation to “nacro-terrorism.”
In response to questions in regards to the Marine strike Tuesday that hit a vessel within the southern Caribbean Sea whereas allegedly carrying members of Tren de Aragua smuggling narcotics headed for the U.S., Rubio mentioned, “We’re not going to take a seat again anymore and watch these folks sail up and down the Caribbean like a cruise.”
The strike apparently killed 11 members of the group, which was designated a terrorist group in February, and marked a significant shift from the U.S.’s earlier seize-and-apprehend coverage when countering worldwide gang networks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks throughout a press convention on the Secretaria Of Overseas Affairs Constructing in Mexico Metropolis Sept. 3, 2025. (Hector Vivas/Getty Photographs)
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“The president of america has decided that narco-terrorist organizations pose a risk to the nationwide safety of america. I need not clarify to you why,” Rubio mentioned, noting that the group is understood to visitors not solely medication, however arms and other people.
“These should not stockbrokers. These should not actual property brokers who, on the aspect, deal a couple of medication. These are organized, company, structured organizations who specialize within the trafficking of lethal medication into america of America,” Rubio mentioned. “They pose a direct risk to america. Interval.”
In talking to reporters from Mexico, the place he was additionally hashing out counter arms and narcotics agreements, Rubio argued the earlier coverage of seize and apprehend was ineffective.
“As a result of these drug cartels, what they do is that they know they are going to lose 2% of their cargo — they bake it into their economics,” he mentioned. “What is going to cease them is once you blow them up, once you eliminate them.”

Venezuelan vessel destroyed throughout U.S. navy strike. (@realDonaldTrump by way of Fact Social)
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The secretary additional identified that the arms teams like Tren de Aragua are apparently getting a maintain of unconventional weaponry, together with drones, and proceed to pose an more and more severe risk to worldwide safety.
“We’re more and more involved that these cartels are actually in possession, not simply of landmines and grenades. We’re now seeing the deployment of drone expertise by narco-terrorist teams working out of Venezuelan territory,” he added, noting that they’re getting used to threaten safety forces in neighboring states like Columbia.

The video additionally confirmed the suspects getting their hair shaven and strolling with their palms behind their necks as they’re being transported from the U.S. to El Salvador in March 2025. (@nayibbukele by way of X)
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Rubio confirmed the technique employed on Tuesday is how the U.S. will proceed to counter worldwide narcotics and arms smuggling.
“It’s going to occur once more. Perhaps it is occurring proper now, I do not know. However the level is the president of america goes to wage battle on narco-terrorist organizations,” Rubio mentioned.