Public opinion is sharply divided regarding U.S. military operations against Venezuelan drug traffickers. While many express strong support for these actions as a necessary step in the war on drugs and commend President Trump's decisive approach, a significant portion of commenters voice skepticism about the motives behind the military strikes, questioning the legality and effectiveness of such operations. Many raised concerns about the implications for international law and humanitarian consequences, particularly regarding the lack of clear evidence linking the Venezuelan government to drug trafficking. Overall, the sentiment ranges from enthusiastic approval to deep skepticism and criticism.

U.S. Military

Venezuelan Government

President Trump

Great work Donnie, you just saved 300 million people from dying of drugs this year.

tacticalcraptical

This time it’s a cargo freighter even if they had reliable intelligence it did have drugs (which they aren’t even saying.) You normally would stop it search it and arrest people. It could not possibly out run or out gun 8 US warships and a submarine. Even if it attempted to fire first (again they aren’t saying that). 

We’re attacking random vessels off the coast of Venezuela. If anyone did this to the US we have troops on the ground in under 24 hours and would justified in doing so. This is a war crime with no reasonable justification.

TheWeirdWoods

so rules of engagement are just suggestions in international waters? we just murdering people...

Shizix

The last boat they targeted seemed to have a lot of guys and no visible cargo, for a boat carrying drugs.

Somhlth

So is Patel also running the military somehow?

Ahelex

This Epstein files distraction is getting a bit out of hand

VladtheInhaler999

This should be legit impeachable but all the Republicans in Congress want to play party power not US Politics.

SpiritualScumlord

Legal Eagle (YT Channel) is a DC based attorney and he mentioned that some officials have lawyered up over the last engagement.  

I'm still waiting on the physical proof from the last engagement.

JKlerk

I almost guarantee this is an attempt to provoke Venezuelan forces into retaliating so they can “justify” a larger conflict. They’ll try to spin it as “Venezuela protects drug trafficking cartels through use of military force.” 

If Venezuela does choose to retaliate with force, things could get very ugly very fast. The US navy can and will use an overwhelming display of force if given the green light to do so once they get hit. See: Operation Praying Mantis.

LimeStream37

Are they just murdering migrants under the guise of "drug busts?"

lb_rose

wwarnout

How many citizens of another country in international waters did he murder this time?

Active_Town3141

"The left promotes violence!" Proceeds to brag about killing people.

Moominsean

A speed boat doesn't take drugs to the US from Venezuela. Has this geezer looked at a map recently?

FunkyChickenKong

*Asked what proof the U.S. has that the vessel was carrying drugs, Trump replied, “We have proof. All you have to do is look at the cargo that was spattered all over the ocean — big bags of cocaine and and fentanyl all over the place.”*

  
Shouldn't we know that before they're murdered?

Sometimes_Wright

He’s a liar,the regime is lying, everyone in this regime is a liar

Western-Corner-431

Experts agree this is the least effective way to combat drug smuggling. Better to destroy the labs (source) or the transfer point that stores large volumes. But million dollar missiles blowing up an outboard makes for cinematic footage. Gives Grandpa watching Fox news a woody.

HQnorth

He’s literally the class bully that pokes everyone to see who retaliates first, than says he didn’t do anything.

sweet_shadow87

You mean "again illegally attacked and killed people without Due Process for a crime that doesn't even carry the death penalty."

FTFY

reditsux77655

Just FYI, you don’t have to say “Allegedly” anymore. That was for back when we had due process.

Bigfops

Has he considered boarding them to *prove* that?

Spudtron98

I think he’s just lashing out because Colbert and Obama just got Emmys

Captain_-H

You know if another country did this it would be called "terrorism", right?

fubes2000

Venezuela holds the world's largest proven crude oil reserves, with approximately 303 billion barrels as of 2023

Destrophonic

This isn't drug trafficking interdiction or warfare, killing civilians like this is terrorism.

charcoalist

Jazzlike_Strength561

wjames0394

D-Rich-88

Extra judicial killings so Donny can get his rocks off. Absolutely appalling.

Concentrateman

He's trying to start a war with Venezuela by murdering Venezuelan fishermen and if this continues Venezuela will be within its legal right to put a missile into the side of one of those US Navy ships

Hellstorm901

Far_Recommendation82

Instead of that peace prize maybe the international court would like a few words. 

Vonderburk

So, more murders, like the last one? 

He's desperate to distract from the Epstein files. We will not forgive nor forget that Krasnov is a child raping pedophile.

inquisitive_guy_0_1

Does this new boat have the Epstein files on it?

Fishfindr

At this rate Donnie Jr will never get his order.

samjohnson2222

Ok. Very interesting.  

Where are the Epstein files?

systonia_

Were they carrying the trumpstein files on the boat??

Future_Specific_8361

john_kennedy_toole

Come the fuck on, I'm all American but we need an intervention.

ManikArcanik

galloway188

So he MAY have destroyed a boat full of drugs or he MAY have destroyed a boat full of migrants. But they would’ve been brown migrants so he don’t care.

WackHeisenBauer

If Trump says it, it’s a lie. Also, he’s in the Epstein files.

iamliterallyonfire

There are going to be so many investigations after the 2026 midterms.

ShinyRobotVerse

Why not just capture the boat and prove that it’s loaded with drugs.
Oh yeah, and while you’re at it, release the Epstein files

jaypea222

Why doesn't the American media grow a pair and ask him "What kind of drugs Mr President?" 🤔

Tribe303

Gotta start that war up before the midterms

Particular-County277

Wondering how long the rest of the world is going to put up with this.

50centourist

Venezuela should petition the UN for protection from a fascist government.

AGrandNewAdventure

Material_Policy6327

BurnerAcct6729

Maybe Venezuela should target an airplane that is allegedly carrying dirty diapers.

Substantial_Tip3885

We just nuking random boats off the coast of Venezuela?

Gileotine

Claims they were proven "narcoterrorists" -- riiiiiiight. Gotta have that boogeyman to justify this horrendous shit.

Worst_Comment_Evar

14 murders on the high seas and he can't wait to kill more..

neegis666

I think “Peace Nobel Trump” came up with this idea: to make “Warmongering Trump” attack other countries so that “Peace Nobel Trump can stop the bad Trump to finally have a real claim to the Nobel… it’s genius! This is why smart people hate him!!! 

Cleanbriefs

~internationally~ condemned, it’s not just a Trump thing. The evidence is laid out in the arrest warrant legal documents.

Worth-Ad-2795

Dear President,

Please don't murder me.

Thank you for your attention to this MATTER.

- concerned fisherman

CryptoCryBubba

We let Bush Jr get away with war crimes now this maybe we are the baddies?

Dry_Championship222

Why does every reply to this have to be sarcasm or a sad attempt at humour?

Alive_Salary4970

Soooooooo... Are they making any effort to verify who or what they hit with these airstrikes? Or are they hitting fishermen who wondered out past the 12-mile limit?

shadrackandthemandem

So what happens when Venezuela decides to return the favor?

Less-Dragonfruit-294

Strange-Tension6589

The first 3 words of that headline are redundant and make it less believable.

silverbolt2000

wonder when the administration is going to stop reporting this activity, so many strategic layers to publishing then not

untoldmillions

Sort of like how Trump is "allegedly" a pedophile?

PigFarmer1

kna5041

Boo-bot-not

The fuel economy on these boats must be incredible!

Responsible_Year1206

Niftydog1163

&gt;Asked what proof the U.S. has that the vessel was carrying drugs, Trump replied, “We have proof. All you have to do is look at the cargo that was spattered all over the ocean — big bags of cocaine and fentanyl all over the place.”

&gt;Trump also suggested that U.S. military strikes targeting alleged drug smugglers at sea could be expanded to land.

fungobat

If you know the boat has drugs, and you know they are coming to the US, why not stop them when they try to bring them ashore? You know, when it becomes a crime?

nurdle

*“The Strike occurred while these confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela were in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics (A DEADLY WEAPON POISONING AMERICANS!) headed to the U.S*

  
Lets see the evidence the justified these extrajudicial killings.  They can't be guilty if they didn't have their day in court.

bogsquacth

Are the drugs in this room with us mr. president?.

Economy_Concert_1497

SquirrelParticular17

MapleHamms

I'm not surprised that Trump ordered the strike. I am surprised, and becoming increasingly concerned, that the military is following these apparently unlawful orders. Is it possible that he is testing the military to see how far they will follow him down the rabbit hole that is Fascism?

Desertnurse760

without any concrete evidence, they invaded a fishing boat and stayed on board for 8 hours... Trump is instigating a conflict, without the permission of an omitted Congress

Celio_leal

Where by "drugs" he presumably means "fish." Again.

h-land

These people were witnesses to something.

SpleenBender

If he wants to know where the drugs are coming from he can ask his kids for their dealer.

Larrythecrablobster

Last time I checked this post is about the US military strike on a drug boat. Don’t let the propaganda get to you where you can’t see clearly. Again, the evidence is professionally laid out in the legal filings - drug cartels are an enemy of the state. Did anyone blink an eye when the US struck a Somali ISIS cell?

Redditors mad their fentanyl prices are going up 😂

Jbball9269

How many millions has this cost? The cartels are laughing at our stupidity.

punkasstubabitch

GhostCheese

I heard that boat was carrying some Epstein files

edgarecayce

Are we distracted from the Epstein files yet?

Bigstar976

Gotta have a war for the war dept. GWOT 2 Venezuelan Boogaloo is coming soon to a theater near you.

aviationeast

GoblinBallGobbler

Born too late to be at Fallujah  
Born just in time to be sent to Caracas

Ancellax

In February 2025, the State Department designated several powerful drug cartels and criminal gangs as FTOs and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). 

Mexican cartels: Cártel de Sinaloa, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, Cártel del Noreste, Cártel del Golfo, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, and Cárteles Unidos.

Venezuelan groups: Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles.

Gang: Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13).
Haitian gangs: Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif. 

So, under this designation, those groups mentioned qualify as lawful targets. Those groups would be conducting illegal operations against the Americas. 

I hope this helps for informational purposes.

M0lcilla

This is the same guy who is supposedly in the running for a Nobel Peace Prize, and campaigned on ending wars (such as the Russia/Ukraine War on his "first day in office", and here we are 228 days later and still nothing).

Edit: spelling

JustHanginInThere

Cthulhuhoop1984

Just say the quiet part out loud. We are the department of war and for our first war under the name since the 40s, we are gonna invade Venezuela and Maduro is gonna get saddam'd.

Nethias25

So  are we using drugs as a reason to kill people? Does this mean we are closer to a reality where the US government drone strikes Walter White? I mean, normally drug running isn’t a crime that warrants the death penalty…

Lostlilegg

Are any of them legal or constitutional?

Does not a single member of Congress still remember that it's supposed to be THEIR JOB to declare war?

ActualSpiders

on_the_nightshift

The word is it was a MH-60S Seahawk, operated by specialized squadrons like [HSC-85](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=ea952d4a728bb5fe&amp;rlz=1CAGXWE_enUS1163US1163&amp;cs=0&amp;sxsrf=AE3TifPXh4vMT4CdFVALKWOdUxLIA6BkFw%3A1757208973089&amp;q=HSC-85&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjCg4fFwcWPAxX5L9AFHViELxMQxccNegQIBRAC&amp;mstk=AUtExfDrZg4l7sX9rYferDzhZrK1G_qc97xU1cJsHozfV7ge0CQy5qsvTuiv7u2cabpuWHJi4iKPg9GhDoswxXlBew7rEXUd9rY5e0aNAoenx3-taHLin7jFg3-p2uZmHwGkwSecQ6FfPvH_d0KGRawhWbrquus9SbvbUQHJHzrsUpsj4b1MWcfw9x9ogZiXNNqAO16h-oc9NcuBJJivdw5Y5UQQ5Rj5fMmypG4857wcNebD8xvQZaO3QA5PASO0rXBmTPsj4FZnynF656pfnfOLxM9Ooh3o9t9V_xtZIW0lut7F5g&amp;csui=3), or an usaf reaper. ... using a AGM-65 Maverick... my thought was it was a reaper, unless the Navy wanted the mission. I can see command let the Navy do the mission if they request it.....

Creepy-Ear6307

Unretire the A-10 n give to the Coast Guard

BernieF15

[No troops.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1p7Qdac0v8)

PM_ME_UR_TAF

Wait, why is the department of war conducting military strikes? Is the POTUS declaring war?

fpsnoob89

The U.S. military conducted strikes against alleged drug traffickers from Venezuela, resulting in significant casualties.

US Military Operations Against Venezuelan Drug Trafficking

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

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What the people want