Trump Claims to Have "Sunk" Three Venezuelan Boats, Maduro Proposes Convening Regional Special Meeting

US President Donald Trump stated on the 16th that the US had "sunk" a total of three Venezuelan boats. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro warned on the 15th that the US had unilaterally launched "comprehensive aggression" against Venezuela, that communication between the two governments had essentially ceased, and he had proposed urgently convening a special meeting on regional sovereignty and peace.

Before departing for his state visit to the UK, Trump told reporters at the White House, "We actually sank three boats coming from Venezuela, not two, but you saw two."

Trump did not disclose specific details about the third boat that was "sunk," nor did he clarify whether there were any new casualties.

On the 15th, Trump said he had ordered US forces to attack another alleged Venezuelan "drug-running boat" in international waters that day, resulting in the deaths of three men on board.

Trump posted on social media, "Identified drug terrorists from Venezuela are transporting drugs to the US in international waters," and "These extremely violent drug cartels pose a threat to US national security, foreign policy, and significant US interests."

Trump also shared a link to a related video showing a boat being attacked in unspecified waters and being engulfed by a large fireball seconds later.

On the 2nd, Trump stated on social media that US forces had opened fire on boats "transporting illegal narcotics to the United States" in international waters within the US Southern Command's area of responsibility, killing 11 individuals "confirmed" to be members of the "Tren de Aragua" gang. The Venezuelan government has denied these claims.