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Sunday, Donald Trump told a large gathering of naval personnel that US forces had struck another boat illegally transporting drugs near the shoreline of Venezuela the previous evening. The president made this statement at a ceremony marking the US navy’s two hundred and fiftieth birthday at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia.

The president additionally stated asserting that the United States will now begin focusing on drug trafficking taking place overland. This remained certain if Trump was referring to a strike revealed last Friday from defense secretary Pete Hegseth.

Navy's Involvement in Counter-Drug Missions

During his speech, Trump praised the navy their support of the mission to eliminate cartel terrorists from the seas. He asserted, “No more boats remain in the water. They are impossible to locate”.

US naval forces have also been deployed in an armed conflict against drug cartels, resulting in multiple strikes in the Caribbean on what the administration says are speedboats engaged in drug trafficking.

“If drug smugglers were not coming in by sea, we’ll have to start looking about the land because they’ll be forced to go by land. And let me tell you that’s not going to work out well for them either,” the president warned.

International Reaction and Juridical Concerns

The United Nations have censured the US strikes—actions that Washington justifies by claiming they target “narco-terrorist” members belonging to Tren de Aragua, classified a foreign terrorist organization, in international waters—labeling them unlawful killings.

Last month, the UN declared, “Governments are not permitted under international law to summarily execute suspected drug traffickers”. The UN added, “Illegal activities must be disrupted, examined, and prosecuted following legal standards, with international collaboration”.

Naval Celebrations During Government Closure

The naval anniversary events take place amid a closure of the federal government that has left some military personnel serving unpaid. The president has accused Democrats of enabling the government closure and trying “to destroy this wonderful celebration of the US Navy’s Birthday”.

Friday evening, the president posted on social media, “In my view, ‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON!’ This event will be the grandest in Navy history. Numerous courageous active-duty members and military families will participate, and I eagerly anticipate sharing this unique occasion with them”.

Rebuilding Maritime Strength and Leadership Changes

The president vowed to restore the naval shipbuilding capability after warnings that the navy risks forfeiting its position as the world’s leading maritime force.

America's naval fleet is at its lowest numbers since before the second world war, whereas government-supported Chinese shipyards have surpassed the productivity of American yards.

Navy secretary John Phelan, who was confirmed this spring, has identified “urgency” as lacking in warship production and ordered an accelerated production schedule for the Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine programs.

The navy celebrations follow months of upheaval in the Defense Department as Secretary Hegseth restructures the armed forces' top leadership of the army, navy, air force and coast guard.

Recent Directives and Training Suggestions

In a controversial address to military leaders last week, the defense secretary declared a termination of “woke” culture and introduced updated policies that include uniform physical standards in fitness tests.

“The only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this: warfighting, preparing for war and preparing to win, unrelenting and uncompromising in that pursuit not because we want war, no one here wants war, but it’s because we love peace,” the secretary stated.

During the gathering, Trump proposed utilizing American urban areas as training grounds for the armed forces and discussed needing armed strength to combat what he called the “invasion from within”.