THE AMERICA ONE NEWS
Sep 4, 2025  |  
0
 | Remer,MN
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge.
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge and Reasoning Support for Fantasy Sports and Betting Enthusiasts.
back  
topic


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday defended President Donald Trump’s strike on a drug cartel-operated vessel off of Venezuela and vowed the U.S. will no longer "sit back" when it comes to "nacro-terrorism."

In response to questions over the Marine strike on Tuesday that hit a vessel in the southern Caribbean Sea allegedly carrying members of Tren de Aragua smuggling narcotics headed for the U.S., Rubio said, "We're not going to sit back anymore and watch these people sail up and down the Caribbean like a cruise."

The strike apparently killed 11 members of the group – which was designated a terrorist organization in February – and marked a significant shift from the U.S.’s previous seize and apprehend policy when countering international gang networks. 

Rubio speaks to reporters in Mexico

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press conference at the Secretaria Of Foreign Affairs Building in Mexico City on Sept. 03, 2025. (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

MADURO CLAIMS US SEEKS 'REGIME CHANGE THROUGH MILITARY THREAT' AMID CARIBBEAN BUILDUP

"The President of the United States has determined that narco-terrorist organization pose a threat to the national security of the United States. I don't need to explain to you why," Rubio said, noting that the group is known to traffic not only drugs, but arms and people. 

"These are not stockbrokers. These are not real estate agents who, on the side, deal a few drugs. These are organized, corporate, structured organizations who specialize in the trafficking of deadly drugs into the United States of America," Rubio said. "They pose an immediate threat to the United States. Period."

In speaking to reporters from Mexico, where he was also hashing out counter arms and narcotics agreements, Rubio argued the previous policy of seize and apprehend was ineffective.

"Because these drug cartels, what they do is they know they're going to lose 2% of their cargo -- they bake it into their economics," he said. "What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them."

Venezuelan vessel destroyed during U.S. military strike.

Venezuelan vessel destroyed during U.S. military strike. (@realDonaldTrump via Truth Social)

U.S. WARSHIPS TO PATROL INTERNATIONAL WATERS AROUND VENEZUELA AS TRUMP VOWS TO STOP CARTELS

The secretary further pointed out that the arms groups like Tren de Aragua are apparently getting a hold of unconventional weaponry, including drones, and continue to pose an increasingly serious threat to international security. 

"We are increasingly concerned that these cartels are now in possession, not just of landmines and grenades. We're now seeing the deployment of drone technology by narco-terrorist groups operating out of Venezuelan territory," he added, noting that they are being used to threaten security forces in neighboring states like Columbia.

Gang members being forced into prison cells

The video also showed the suspects getting their hair shaven and walking with their hands behind their necks as they are being transported from the US to El Salvador in March 2025. (@nayibbukele via X)

Rubio confirmed the strategy employed on Tuesday is how the U.S. will continue to counter international narcotics and arms smuggling. 

"It'll happen again. maybe it's happening right now, I don't know. But the point is the President of the United States is going to wage war on narco-terrorist organizations," Rubio said.

Caitlin McFall is a Reporter at Fox News Digital covering Politics, U.S. and World news.