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On Sunday, Donald Trump informed a large gathering of naval personnel stating that American military units had struck another vessel unlawfully transporting narcotics near the shoreline of Venezuela on Saturday night. The president made these remarks at an event marking the American navy's 250th anniversary at Naval Station Norfolk located in Virginia.

Trump further stated that America will also begin addressing drug trafficking taking place on land. This was not certain if he mentioned an operation announced on Friday from defense secretary Pete Hegseth.

Navy's Role in Counter-Drug Missions

In the address, the president praised naval forces their support of operations aimed at “blow the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water”. Trump asserted, “No more boats remain in the water. They are impossible to locate”.

The navy has additionally been deployed in an armed conflict with narcotics organizations, leading to multiple attacks in the Caribbean on alleged speedboats engaged in narcotics smuggling.

“Should drug smugglers cease arriving by sea, we must turn our attention to land routes, as they will be compelled to travel overland. Let me assure you, that will not end favorably for them,” Trump warned.

International Reaction and Legal Concerns

UN officials have censured American military actions—which the US justifies as target narco-terrorist members of the Tren de Aragua group, designated as a terrorist entity, in international waters—labeling them extrajudicial executions.

In September, the UN declared, “Governments are not permitted under international law to summarily execute suspected drug traffickers”. The UN added, “Illegal activities must be disrupted, examined, and prosecuted following legal standards, with international collaboration”.

Navy Celebrations During Government Shutdown

The naval anniversary events occur during a shutdown of the federal government that has left numerous military personnel working without pay. Trump has accused Democrats for causing the shutdown and trying “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 Naval Strength and Leadership Shifts

Trump has pledged to restore the navy’s shipbuilding capability following warnings indicating the service is in danger of forfeiting its status as the globe's dominant naval power.

The US fleet is at its lowest numbers since prior to the second world war, while government-supported Chinese shipyards have surpassed the productivity of American yards.

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, who was confirmed in March, noted “urgency” as a missing element in naval shipbuilding , directed an accelerated production schedule for new submarine classes.

The naval festivities come after months of upheaval in the Defense Department as Secretary Hegseth restructures the military’s top leadership of the army, navy, air force and coast guard.

New Policies and Preparation Suggestions

In a controversial address to senior officers recently, the defense secretary announced a termination to “woke” culture and unveiled new directives that include uniform physical standards for physical fitness.

“The only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this: warfighting, preparing for war and preparing to win, unrelenting and uncompromising in that pursuit not because we want war, no one here wants war, but it’s because we love peace,” Hegseth affirmed.

During the gathering, the president proposed utilizing US cities for military exercises for the armed forces and discussed needing armed strength to address what he termed the “invasion from within”.