In a speech in Japan, Trump defended the U.S. attacks on vessels suspected of drug trafficking, mocking the criticisms from the Democrats.

In a speech delivered Tuesday in front of American troops in Japan, President Donald Trump justified recent U.S. attacks on vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, suspected of drug trafficking. Trump mocked the Democrats' criticisms, stating that submarines do not fish, emphasizing that American forces are destroying ships designed for drug trafficking, which could cause the deaths of 25,000 Americans from overdose. He declared that the U.S. is waging a war against drug cartels, mentioning that over 10 vessels have been destroyed in recent weeks, leading to tensions with Venezuela and Colombia.

Trump suggested that the attacks could be extended to Venezuelan territory, accusing Nicolas Maduro's government of ties to drug trafficking. The Pentagon also announced the deployment of the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier in the Caribbean Sea to support military operations.