WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Wednesday justified the lethal military strike that his administration said was carried out a day earlier against a Venezuelan gang as a necessary effort by the United States to send an unmistakable message to Latin American cartels.

The attack is the first known operation since a recent surge of US warships to the region to combat cartels.

The attack is the first known operation since a recent surge of US warships to the region to combat cartels.

President Donald Trump said 11 members of the Tren de Aragua cartel were killed in the strike.

The Trump administration has signalled a willingness to use military force against drug cartels.

Trump said 11 gang members were killed in the ‘kinetic strike’ on the alleged drug boat

The strike on a boat in the Caribbean follows Trump's designation of the gang as "narcoterrorists" and rising tension with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

The US military attack comes as the US surges military presence in the Caribbean, risking an escalation with Venezuela.

Trump said the 'kinetic strike' on 'narcoterrorists' occurred while Tren de Aragua gang members were on international waters. He posted a video of a speedboat filled with people…

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Wednesday justified the lethal military strike that his administration said was carried out a day earlier against a Venezuelan gang as a…