The Guardian: US attack on boat has heightened already high tensions between the US and Venezuela

The US President confirmed that the US Navy had attacked the boat, adding that there were a lot of drugs on board. Eleven people, whom Venezuela calls fishermen and the US calls drug traffickers, were killed. The actions of the US authorities have caused a stir

J.D. Vance responded to criticism of the United States for shooting down a Venezuelan boat in the southern Caribbean. The vice president wrote on his X page that killing cartel members is the most noble and effective use of the military. Because they are poisoning Americans.

The politician criticized the Democrats, comparing the two parties' approach to using the military. He wrote that the Democrats want to "send American children to die in Russia. While the Republicans want to actually protect the people from scum."

The president himself spoke about the situation. He confirmed in a conversation with journalists at the White House that the US Navy destroyed the boat. He added that there were a lot of drugs on board. As a result of the attack on the boat early last week, 11 people were killed, whom Venezuela calls fishermen, and the US calls drug dealers. The actions of the US authorities caused a stir on the social network X. Users discussed the legal basis for the attack on the boat in international waters. Some considered the army's actions illegal.

One of X’s leading political commentators wrote that “killing another country’s civilians without due process is called a war crime.” “I don’t care what you call it,” Vance said. The US attack on the boat has heightened already high tensions between the US and Venezuela, The Guardian notes .

Vance's harsh comments about the incident were criticized by his fellow party members, including Republican Senator Rand Paul, who chairs the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. According to him, it is disgusting and insane to glorify murder without trial, which is the same as executing defendants without trial. Meanwhile, according to White House press secretary Anna Kelly, the strike "fully complies" with the laws of armed conflict, since it was carried out on the objects of a terrorist organization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that this would not be a one-off action.