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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that President Donald Trump is gathering “incredible assets” for offensive action targeting drug cartels in Venezuela.

Hegseth’s comments to Fox News on Wednesday came after Trump announced Tuesday that United States forces had struck a drug-carrying vessel in the southern Caribbean after it departed from Venezuela.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X that the ship was run by a “designated narco-terrorist organization” and called the action a lethal strike. Later on Tuesday, in a Truth Social post, Trump said the vessel was operated by the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang. The president said 11 were killed in the operation.

“President Trump is willing to go on offense in ways that others have not been,” Hegseth said. “And to send that clear signal to Tren de Aragua, Cartel del Sol and others emanating from Venezuela—we’re not going to allow this kind of activity…”

“We’ve got incredible assets and they are gathering in the region,” the defense secretary said.

Why It Matters

Trump said Tuesday that the move was part of a wider effort by the U.S. to tackle drug trafficking, with Hegseth’s comments suggesting further action will be taken by the American military despite warnings that Venezuela could retaliate with its own military force.

The latest developments highlight the ongoing lack of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Venezuela, with Trump administration officials seeking to arrest President Nicolás Maduro over allegations he has direct ties to TdA.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looks on as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House on September 2, 2025. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looks on as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House on September 2, 2025. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Pete Hegseth Says Tren de Aragua, Cartel del Sol Being Targeted

Hegseth said he watched the strike live and that officials had known exactly who had been in the boat: members of Tren de Aragua.

The Defense secretary said that targeted action was necessary, placing the blame for the flow of illicit drugs into the U.S. over the past four years on the Biden administration, which Hegseth said had largely come from Central and Southern America.

Venezuelan officials have countered the White House’s message, saying that if the idea was the target the drug trade, then U.S. personnel should be sent to the Pacific Ocean, not the Caribbean.

Some experts have also cast doubts on the strength and influence of TdA, a gang the Trump administration designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Recent analysis by InSight Crime found that the gang’s leadership has weakened and become more disjointed in recent years.

‘Drug Boat’ Departing Venezuela Attacked: What We Know

Tuesday’s strike followed Washington, D.C.’s recent decision to expand its naval presence off Venezuela to counter Latin American drug cartels, though officials have not signaled any plans for a land incursion.

Trump said that 11 people were killed in the strike, and that all were TdA members. Those details have not been independently verified.

In response, Maduro ordered the deployment of troops along the coast and border with Colombia and urged Venezuelans to join civilian militias.

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump, on Truth Social Tuesday: “The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea in International waters transporting illegal narcotics, heading to the United States. The strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action. No U.S. Forces were harmed in this strike. Please let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America. BEWARE! Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!!!!!!!!!”

Mike LaSusa, deputy director of content at InSight Crime, told Newsweek in August: “As far as we can tell, there’s really just no evidence that Maduro ever ordered any kind of invasion of the U.S. or any other country on the part of the gang, and that remains true.”

Carlos Solar, a senior research fellow for Latin American security at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, previously told Newsweek: “In strict terms, Venezuela has neither carried out such actions nor developed threats serious enough to justify American military intervention, such as the Houthi-led attacks or Tehran’s nuclear program. That said, political leaders ultimately determine what constitutes a sufficiently dangerous threat to warrant military action.”

What Happens Next

It is unlikely the U.S. will carry out a land invasion of Venezuela, with experts telling Newsweek that Trump was likely seeking to put on a show of force to try to get Maduro to take tougher action against cartels.

Update 9/3/25, 11:03 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.