US Vice President J.D. Vance has rejected accusations that a recent missile strike on a boat carrying alleged Venezuela-linked cartel members constitutes a war crime. The incident occurred on Tuesday in international waters in the southern Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of 11 people on board. According to President Donald Trump, the vessel was tied to the Tren de Aragua cartel, which he has designated as a terrorist organization.

Venezuelan officials have disputed the footage of the incident, describing it as “cartoonish” and fabricated. In a social media post, Vice President Vance praised the strike, stating that targeting cartel members who engage in harmful activities is a justified use of military force. However, social media influencer Brian Krassenstein countered that killing civilians without due process is considered a war crime.

In response to Krassenstein’s criticism, Vance stated that he is unconcerned about the terminology used to describe the incident. The exchange has sparked a mixed reaction, with some Trump supporters backing the vice president’s stance, while others, including Senator Rand Paul, have condemned his remarks as “despicable and thoughtless.”

The strike is part of President Trump’s efforts to crack down on drug trafficking, which included the deployment of a US naval armada in the western Caribbean last month. In 2020, a US court indicted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on charges of leading the Cartel de los Soles, an allegation he denied as a plot to topple him.

Reports suggest that President Trump is considering further strikes against cartels inside Venezuela. While the president has denied plans for regime change, he has described the country’s 2024 election as “very strange.” The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela, with potential implications for regional security and international relations. As the situation continues to unfold, it is likely that the international community will be closely monitoring developments.