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Sunday, Donald Trump told a large gathering of naval personnel that American military units targeted a second vessel unlawfully carrying narcotics off the shoreline of Venezuela on Saturday night. The president made this statement at an event marking the US navy’s 250th anniversary at Naval Station Norfolk located in Virginia.

Trump additionally declared that America would also start addressing narcotics smuggling occurring overland. It remained immediately clear if he was referring to an operation announced on Friday by defense secretary Pete Hegseth.

Naval Involvement in Counter-Drug Operations

In his speech, Trump praised naval forces for supporting the mission aimed at eliminate cartel terrorists from the seas. He claimed, “No more boats remain in the water. They are impossible to locate”.

The navy have also been deployed to join an armed conflict with drug cartels, resulting in multiple strikes in the Caribbean targeting what the administration says are fast-boats involved in drug trafficking.

“If drug smugglers were not coming in by sea, 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 president stated.

International Response and Legal Concerns

UN officials has condemned the US strikes—which the US defends as target narco-terrorist members of the Tren de Aragua group, classified a foreign terrorist organization, in international waters—as extrajudicial executions.

In September, the UN stated, “Governments are not permitted under international law to summarily execute suspected drug traffickers”. The UN added, “Criminal activities should be disrupted, investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the rule of law, including through international cooperation”.

Naval Events During Federal Closure

The naval anniversary events take place amid a shutdown of the federal government that has left some military personnel serving unpaid. The president blamed opposition Democrats of enabling the shutdown and attempting “to ruin the splendid commemoration of the Navy's anniversary”.

Friday evening, Trump wrote on social media, “I believe, ‘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”.

Rebuilding Maritime Strength and Leadership Changes

The president has pledged to rebuild the navy’s vessel construction capability after warnings indicating the navy is in danger of forfeiting its status as the world’s dominant maritime force.

The US fleet is at its smallest size since before the second world war, while government-supported Chinese shipyards have surpassed the productivity of American yards.

Navy secretary John Phelan, who was confirmed in March, has identified immediate action as a missing element in warship production and ordered expedited manufacturing of the Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine programs.

The navy celebrations follow months of turmoil in the Defense Department as Secretary Hegseth rearranges the military’s top leadership across various service branches.

Recent Policies and Training Suggestions

During a contentious address to senior officers recently, Hegseth declared an end of “woke” culture and unveiled updated policies that include “gender-neutral” or “male-level” standards in fitness tests.

“The sole objective of the reestablished Department of War is combat readiness, preparing for conflict and ensuring victory, steadfast and unwavering in this endeavor not because we desire war—nobody here does—but due to our dedication to peace,” the secretary affirmed.

At the meeting, Trump suggested using American urban areas as training grounds for the armed forces and discussed requiring armed strength to address what he called the “invasion from within”.