Video of a Venezuelan drug boat being bombed, released by President Trump. Reuters=Yonhap News. 

President Donald Trump, who deployed naval assets to the Caribbean Sea to combat the threat of Venezuelan drug cartels, announced on the 2nd (local time) that U.S. forces bombed a Venezuelan drug vessel, eliminating 11 terrorists.

In a post on his social media service (SNS) Truth Social account, President Trump stated, "This morning, at my order, U.S. forces launched an attack on identified TdA (Tren de Aragua) drug terrorists in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility."

He explained, "The attack took place as terrorists were heading to the United States from international waters to transport illegal drugs. Eleven terrorists were killed in this operation, and U.S. forces sustained no casualties."

President Trump accused, "TdA is a terrorist organization operating under the control of Nicolás Maduro (current President of Venezuela). They are committing mass murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking, violence, and acts of terror throughout the United States and the entire Western Hemisphere."

He added, "I hope this serves as a warning to anyone who considers bringing drugs into the United States."

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed the U.S. military's bombing of the Venezuelan drug vessel on the same day and stated that questions regarding the specific details of the attack should be directed to the Department of Defense.

When asked whether the U.S. would conduct attacks within Venezuelan territory, Rubio did not give a direct answer, only stating, "We will fight against drug cartels wherever they are and wherever they are conducting activities against U.S. interests."

U.S. Navy ships passing through the Panama Canal. Reuters=Yonhap News. 

President Trump also posted a video of the U.S. military operation, approximately 30 seconds long, with the post.

The video, seemingly filmed with thermal imaging equipment, is mostly black and white and shows a bright flash suddenly appearing above a speedboat sailing on the sea. The speedboat is then engulfed in flames.

U.S. NBC News reported that it is unclear whether 11 people were actually on board the vessel and whether a large amount of drugs was hidden inside the ship has not been confirmed.

Venezuela has refuted the attack video released by President Trump, claiming it might be fake.

Freddy Ñáñez, Minister of Information and Communication, questioned the authenticity of the video on his Telegram account, stating, "It appears to have been made using artificial intelligence (AI). Instead of realistically depicting an explosion, it showed a cartoon-like animation."

In February, the U.S. designated drug trafficking cartels, including TdA, as foreign terrorist organizations. Last month, it referred to President Maduro as "one of the drug traffickers" and increased the reward for information leading to his arrest.

Amidst this, the Trump administration deployed three Aegis-class destroyers and other naval assets to the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela to intercept drug trafficking. President Maduro has also expressed his determination to fight back, raising concerns about a potential "head-on collision" between the two sides.

[Video] Venezuelan drug ship heading to the US hit with a 'BANG!'…Trump: 'U.S. military sank it'

Yonhap News