Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) criticized the Trump-ordered military strike on a Venezuelan drug vessel that killed 11 people, saying even suspected criminals deserve due process.
“The reason we have trials and we don’t automatically assume guilt is what if we make a mistake and they happen to be people fleeing the Venezuelan dictator?” Paul said. He added, “Even the worst people in our country… still get a trial.”
The strike, conducted in the southern Caribbean, targeted a vessel allegedly operated by the Tren de Aragua, a designated narco-terrorist group. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the operation Tuesday.
President Trump defended the move, warning would-be traffickers on Truth Social: “Please let this serve as notice… BEWARE!”
The administration claims Venezuela’s government enables drug trafficking. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil dismissed efforts to arrest President Nicolás Maduro as “pathetic,” after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi raised the reward for his capture.
Maduro was indicted in 2020 on drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges in the U.S. While the Pentagon hasn’t confirmed any plans to strike Venezuela directly, three U.S. warships have recently been deployed near the Venezuelan coast.
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