WASHINGTON, D. C. - Vice President JD Vance is drawing sharp social media criticism from Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and others following a heated exchange over the Trump administration’s deadly military strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug vessel.

The controversy erupted on Saturday when Vance wrote on the social platform X : “Killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military,” referencing the September 2 military strike.

President Donald Trump said the attack last week in the southern Caribbean Sea killed 11 people, whom he described as “narcoterrorists” affiliated with the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang.

Washington has deployed more than 4,000 troops and naval assets to the region, saying the move targets Latin American drug cartel

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