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Marco Rubio defends strikes on Venezuelan boats in briefings to Congress

U.S. officials say strikes target narcoterrorist Cartel de los Soles to disrupt drug trafficking in the Caribbean; over 20 boats bombed and 80 killed, sparking political debate.

  • On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended U.S. boat strikes in international waters near Venezuela during a classified briefing to Congress.
  • Rubio described the strikes as a `counter drug mission`, aimed at dismantling narcoterrorist infrastructure and preventing drugs from reaching U.S. shores, officials said.
  • Reports show the U.S. military bombed more than 20 small boats and killed over 80 people, while the Pentagon declined to release full video of a double-tap strike that killed two survivors.
  • Lawmakers and civic groups pressed for transparency and a halt to strikes as U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks filed a resolution to block them and Hawaiʻi Friends of Restorative Justice urged War Powers oversight.
  • The strikes mark a substantial escalation during President Donald Trump's second term, increasing pressure on Venezuela amid legal and moral concerns while signaling Russia, China and Iran.
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Bias Distribution

  • 38% of the sources lean Left, 37% of the sources lean Right
38% Left

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Caraota Digital broke the news in on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
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