Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Sep 7: US Vice President JD Vance has defended a recent US airstrike that destroyed a Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean, killing 11 people, saying he "doesn't give a sh*t" if critics label it a war crime.

The strike targeted a quad-motor boat allegedly belonging to the Tren de Aragua gang, recently designated a terrorist organisation by President Donald Trump. The administration claims the group was collaborating with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to smuggle drugs into the US.

Critics and international law experts warned that the operation may violate the UN Charter, as the vessel posed no clear imminent threat. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly defended the action, saying it was "conducted against the operations of a designated terrorist organisation and was taken in defence of vital US national interests."

Trump reinforced the warning on Truth Social, stating: "Please let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America. BEWARE!" Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the US would continue targeting designated narco-terrorist operations in the region.

Vance, who has consistently advocated aggressive action against cartels, said, "Killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military," reflecting the administration's hardline stance on drug trafficking.