Venezuela Swims Along

September 8th, 2025
Ruhaan Sood

On September 2nd, Trump jubilantly announced a brand new military strike. Since beginning his term, one might say he’s been playing “hooky” with US military power, striking targets in Iran and even strictly attempting to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War. This military strike wasn’t aimed at a country, but rather a drug cartel operating out of Venezuela.

The missile struck an alleged drug-carrying boat flowing out of Venezuela operated by the notorious Tren De Aguas cartel. The missile that hit the target and killed 11 people is creating big waves in the geopolitical community. The strike follows Trump ordering over 4,000 military personnel to the waters of the Caribbean. Now, although the administration is praising the military action, the order made by Trump is facing significant pushback. Never before had a small cartel ship been struck with as much military power as it was on September 2nd.

Human world rights organizations like UNESCO and Amnesty International are voicing major concerns over the near “brute” use of force on the traffickers. Vice President JD Vance wrote on X that the strike was the “highest and best use of our military”—but just how far is too far? The press didn’t even receive an official briefing on the event as the news conference was cancelled just hours before Karoline Leavitt was expected to show on stage. Many are questioning the attacks legality, looking for why Trump elected to fire on the cartel rather than seize and round them up. Additionally, some are wary that the strike’s inclusion could be used as a motive to expand Trump’s ever-increasing war powers. Senator Rand Paul (R) of Kentucky clashed with Vance, writing on X, “What a despicable and thoughtless sentiment it is to glorify killing someone without a trial.”

Amid the U.S. strike on the cartel, tensions are growing between Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and Trump. In the past week, Maduro significantly increased military pressure in 5 Venezuelan states due to tensions with the U.S. Maduro even authorized F-35 flyovers near U.S. stations. The administration has voiced concerns of the near dictatorship in Venezuela under Maduro’s rule, creating the potential for conflict between the two nations. Significant future monitoring will be required as both nations head into unprecedented times of conflict and pressure.

Extemp Analysis By: Ruhaan Sood

Question: Was Trump’s military strike on Tren De Aguas justified?

AGD: I would most likely go with a narrative story. Apart from drug traffickers, there were also innocent Venezuelan fishermen aboard that had no part in the alleged drug trafficking. Considered by many, the strike was ruthless and a complete use of brute force so being somber and narrative is the way to go here.

Background: This question needs major context concerning what the military strike was and more importantly, who Tren De Aguas is. I’d go into a deep-dive into relations between the administration and drug cartels and also reference that Tren De Aguas is designated as a narco-terrorism cartel by the Department of the State. Give context into the pre-existing relationship and how the strike fits into the overall dynamic.

Thesis/Three Main Points

The answer should point towards either a simple Yes/No, before preparing, define what you’d want to consider as “justified”:

No, Trump’s strike on the Tren De Aguas cartel was not justified

Brute Force
Misconception concerning Venezuelan drug smuggling
Overextension of Presidential War Power

When answering the question, it’s imperative you specify how said body point is a reason for the attack being yes/not justified - the answer is in the details.

Happy Extemping!