Washington- The United States has carried out a “lethal strike” on a suspected drug vessel in the southern Caribbean, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Tuesday.

Rubio announced on X that the vessel had departed from Venezuela and was operated by a group designated as a narco-terrorist organization. He said the strike was conducted shortly after President Donald Trump referenced the operation in remarks at the Oval Office.

The move marks a sharp escalation in the Trump administration’s fight against drug cartels, several of which Washington has officially designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Analysts warn the strike could heighten tensions in the region, especially with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

President Trump told reporters the US military “just over the last few minutes, literally shot out a drug-carrying boat.” He added that the operation was briefed by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and hinted at further actions to come.

“We have a lot of drugs pouring into our country, coming in for a long time. These just came out of Venezuela, very heavily from Venezuela,” Trump said.