US forces struck another vessel illegally carrying drugs off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump said during a speech at a ceremony celebrating the US Navy’s 250th anniversary. Speaking to thousands of sailors at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, Trump also signaled that the US would focus on drug trafficking occurring on land.
Trump made the remarks next to the Harry S Truman aircraft carrier. It was not immediately clear whether he was referring to a strike previously reported by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He said the Navy had supported the mission “to blow the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water. There are no boats in the water anymore. You can’t find them.”
The administration says US forces have carried out multiple strikes in the Caribbean against fast boats involved in drug trafficking, targeting what they call members of Tren de Aragua, designated a foreign terrorist organization. Hegseth has said that four people were killed in previous strikes on alleged drug boats.
Trump warned that if smugglers avoid sea routes, authorities would focus on land trafficking, saying, “We’ll have to start looking about the land because they’ll be forced to go by land. And let me tell you that’s not going to work out well for them either.”
The United Nations has criticized the strikes, calling them extrajudicial killings. “International law does not allow governments to simply murder alleged drug traffickers,” the UN said last month. It added that criminal activities should be addressed through proper investigation, prosecution, and international cooperation.
The Navy ceremony comes amid a federal government shutdown, which has left some military personnel working without pay. Trump has accused Democrats of trying to undermine the celebration. He posted on social media, “THE SHOW MUST GO ON! This will be the largest Celebration in the History of the Navy. Thousands of our brave Active Duty Servicemembers and Military Families will be in attendance, and I look forward to this special day with all of them.”
Trump has pledged to rebuild the Navy’s shipbuilding capacity, citing concerns that US naval dominance is at risk. The US fleet is currently the smallest since before World War II, while Chinese shipyards have surpassed US production.
Navy Secretary John Phelan, confirmed in March, has ordered accelerated production of Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines, citing a need for urgency in shipbuilding. The administration has emphasized expanding military readiness in response to global and domestic threats.
Recent Pentagon changes include Hegseth’s restructuring of top military leadership and new directives emphasizing warfighting readiness. In a controversial speech, Hegseth announced the end of “woke” culture and introduced gender-neutral physical fitness standards. He said the Department of War’s mission is focused entirely on preparing for and winning conflicts, not seeking war but ensuring peace through strength.
Trump also proposed using US cities as training grounds for the armed forces and warned of an “invasion from within,” calling for strengthened military preparedness to combat domestic and international threats.
The strikes off Venezuela and renewed focus on drug trafficking reflect the administration’s aggressive approach to countering narcotics networks. Analysts say continued operations at sea and on land could heighten tensions with international partners while demonstrating US military resolve.
