Donald Trump has vowed to continue strikes on suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean, but specialists are divided on the ultimate goal of an expanding US military mission near Venezuelan waters.

An air strike by US forces on Tuesday killed 11 people onboard a boat the White House claimed were gang members carrying drugs out of Venezuela, without providing evidence.

The deadly attack marked a dramatic shift from typical US anti-narcotics operations, in which boats are boarded and passengers detained.

But defence secretary Pete Hegseth said that the attack was just the start of a new campaign against cartels, while Trump said the killings were necessary to send a message to traffickers.

The US has deployed a force of warships, submarines, and aircraft to the region in recent we

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