The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) on Thursday issued a new warning that the "cartel running Venezuela" should not interfere with counter-narco terror operations after two "Maduro regime" aircraft flew near a U.S. Navy vessel, according to the Trump administration.

Newsweek reached out to the DOD via email for additional comment Thursday night.

Why It Matters

The U.S. conducted a kinetic military strike in the southern Caribbean against a boat the administration says was tied to Venezuelan-linked "cartel" Tren de Aragua .

The State Department previously designated the gang as a foreign terrorist organization.

The blast comes amid heightened U.S.-Venezuela tensions after the U.S. expanded naval deployments near Venezuelan waters.

The recent moves have prompted warnings from Venez

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