Hegseth: Trump’s Venezuela Mission Extends Beyond One Strike/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the U.S. military’s strike on a Venezuelan drug vessel was only the first move in a broader campaign. The Trump administration has deployed warships, submarines, and aircraft off Venezuela’s coast amid rising tensions with President Nicolás Maduro. Officials say operations target narco-trafficking but hint at regime change ambitions.
Venezuela Mission Quick Looks
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: U.S. strike on Venezuelan drug boat is just the start.
- Strike targeted Tren de Aragua, a group Washington labeled a foreign terrorist organization.
- President Trump sent 7 warships, 4,500 troops, and a submarine off Venezuela’s coast.
- Trump warned traffickers: “BEWARE! It’s a new day.”
- Maduro pledged “maximum preparedness,” threatening a “republic in arms.”
- Hegseth: “Anyone trafficking in those waters will face the same fate.”
- Administration officials compare possible outcome to “Noriega part 2.”
- Maduro under $50 million U.S. bounty, accused of leading narco-trafficking network.
- Hegseth: Regime change is a “presidential decision,” but military is fully prepared.
- Operation marks sharp escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations.
Hegseth: Trump’s Venezuela Mission Extends Beyond One Strike
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared Wednesday that the U.S. military’s strike on a Venezuelan drug vessel was not an isolated action but part of a broader campaign to confront narcotics networks and the government of President Nicolás Maduro.
Appearing on Fox News, Hegseth said U.S. forces now deployed near Venezuela would continue targeting traffickers. “We have assets in the air, assets in the water, assets on ships because this is a deadly serious mission for us, and it won’t stop … with just this strike,” he said. “Anyone else trafficking in those waters who we know is a designated narco-terrorist will face the same fate.”
Strike on Venezuelan Narco-Traffickers
The comments followed Tuesday’s deadly military strike, which President Donald Trump said hit a boat operated by members of Tren de Aragua, a multinational gang that the U.S. government has designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Officials said the vessel was transporting drugs through international waters, a charge Venezuela denied.
Trump described the mission as a “kinetic strike” against narco-terrorists, warning traffickers worldwide: “Anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the U.S. — BEWARE!”
U.S. Military Build-Up
The strike was preceded by a major American military deployment. Trump ordered seven warships, at least one attack submarine, and 4,500 personnel to the Caribbean waters off Venezuela.
Hegseth emphasized that Trump is prepared to act more aggressively than past administrations: “President Trump is willing to go on offense in ways that others have not been.”
Regime Change Hints
While officials insist the immediate mission is counter-narcotics, some admit the campaign could also pressure Maduro directly. U.S. authorities have placed a $50 million bounty on Maduro, accusing him of orchestrating global drug operations.
One senior administration official said that the effort could resemble “Noriega part 2”, referencing the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama to capture dictator Manuel Noriega.
Hegseth stopped short of confirming regime change as an explicit objective, saying: “That’s a presidential decision. We’re prepared with every asset the American military has.”
Maduro’s Response
Maduro reacted defiantly, declaring Venezuela in “maximum preparedness” and threatening to declare a “republic in arms” if attacked. The Venezuelan leader dismissed U.S. claims linking him to drug trafficking, maintaining his government is under assault by foreign aggression.
Clear Message to Traffickers
Hegseth argued the strike sends a blunt warning: “You want to try to traffic drugs? It’s a new day. It’s a different day.”
He stressed the mission’s symbolic and operational intent: showing that Washington is willing to escalate beyond traditional interdiction tactics.
What’s Next
The U.S. buildup raises the possibility of further strikes against traffickers or Venezuelan-linked networks, intensifying a confrontation that could reshape Washington’s approach to Latin America. While Hegseth insisted the mission is narrowly focused, administration rhetoric makes clear that destabilizing Maduro’s rule remains a desired outcome.
As Hegseth put it: “Nicolás Maduro has some decisions to make. That’s all I’ll say about that.”
