The U.S. military killed 11 alleged Tren da Aragua members aboard a suspected drug boat originating from Venezuela in the southern Caribbean on Sept. 2.

The move, announced by President Donald Trump during a press conference, marks a milestone in increasingly militarized U.S. counterdrug efforts in the region. Trump secretly authorized military force against drug cartels in early August. More: Trump eyes military action against drug cartels, US officials say

Trump described the strike in a post on Truth Social.

"Earlier this morning, on my Orders, U.S. Military Forces conducted a kinetic strike against positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility," Trump said. "The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea in International waters

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