- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:45 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signalled a dramatic escalation of his administration’s counter-narcotics campaign, announcing that lethal military strikes “on land” could begin “very soon.” His comments came during a tense cabinet meeting at the White House, where senior officials doubled down on an increasingly aggressive approach toward alleged drug-trafficking networks in Latin America.
Earlier the same day, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declared that the United States had “only just begun” targeting boats that Washington claims are used by transnational narcotics groups.
Hegseth: ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’
“We’ve only just begun striking narco boats and putting narco terrorists at the bottom of the ocean,” Hegseth said while seated next to Trump. He added that the administration was fully united in supporting commanders in the field and confirmed that his deputy, Bradley, is scheduled to deliver a classified briefing to key lawmakers on Thursday.
Trump praised Hegseth’s approach and reiterated that his administration would not hesitate to expand the campaign. “Any country making drugs for illegal entry into the United States is fair game,” Trump said. He specifically warned that strikes inside Venezuela would begin “very soon,” framing narcotics production as a direct threat to US national security.
Trump Threatens Any Nation He Claims Produces Drugs
Trump suggested that countries producing drugs destined for the US would be treated as active threats. Experts warn that such sweeping threats could complicate relations with key Latin American partners and provoke backlash across the region.
Trump said the US is preparing to expand its anti-narcotics campaign from sea to land, telling reporters that land-based strikes on suspected drug traffickers would begin “very soon.” While he did not provide a timeline or name specific targets, he emphasised that operations would have a broad scope and that US intelligence already knows the routes and locations of those involved. Trump added that Venezuela would not be the only country at risk, warning that any nation involved in producing or trafficking illicit drugs is “subject to attack.”