WASHINGTON —

A U.S. military strike on an alleged drug boat in the southern Caribbean Sea has marked a significant escalation in the White House's war on cartels and drugs, resulting in 11 deaths.

President Donald Trump shared dramatic video footage on social media, confirming that the U.S. military targeted a boat tied to a Venezuelan gang.

"You see the bags of drugs all over the boat. And they were hit, obviously, and they won't be doing it again. I think a lot of other people won't be doing it again when they see the video," Trump said Wednesday.

The boat was allegedly transporting drugs into the United States and was operated by the notorious Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua, which the administration blames for violence and drug issues in U.S. cities.

Venezuelan leaders ha

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