Messaging Guidance:

Outstanding Questions on Trump’s Strike on Alleged Venezuelan Drug Boat

 

Earlier this week, the Trump Administration conducted a strike against a vessel allegedly carrying drugs in the southern Caribbean. Trump posted on social media that he had ordered the strike on suspected narcoterrorists from the Tren de Aragua cartel, resulting in eleven deaths. “There’s more where that came from,” Trump said in his announcement. 

Public details remain scarce, but the unprecedented nature of this action and Trump's promise for further escalation suggest this is not the end of this story. The situation remains fluid, and many questions remain that need to be addressed, including:

  1. Does anyone trust this administration to manage such a high-stakes military campaign in our own backyard? This is the same team that invited a reporter into a chat about classified strikes, proposed a U.S. occupation of Gaza, and mistakenly fired hundreds of nuclear weapons experts. The Pentagon is in a state of constant chaos – led by an inexperienced television host whose own colleagues question his judgement. 

  2. Does the Trump Administration have a long-term plan to address this crisis, or are they just shooting from the hip? Experts are doubtful that you can bomb your way out of a drug crisis. Real solutions demand cooperation with Latin American governments, smarter border security, crackdowns on money laundering, and major public health investments at home. There’s no evidence that the Trump Administration is actually pursuing those strategies. Instead, they’re just chasing headlines. 

  3. Isn’t a military escalation in the Western Hemisphere exactly what Trump campaigned against? Trump ran on a promise to end forever wars and rein in costly U.S. engagements abroad. Now, he’s bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities, ordering the military to target cartels in Latin America, launching widespread military strikes against the Houthis, and failing to resolve existing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza – all while lobbying for a Nobel Peace Prize. This isn’t what the American people signed up for. 

  4. Why is Trump rebooting the failed War on Drugs? For decades, American presidents have enlisted law enforcement agencies, the intelligence community, and the military to help battle cartels. But the results have been mixed at best. Even as traffickers were killed or captured, violence has continued to skyrocket in Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, and other hot spots. Why should we expect the results to be any different this time around?

Polling:

According to a 2023 Reuters/Ipsos poll, 52% of respondents said they supported "sending U.S. military personnel to Mexico to fight against drug cartels," while 26% were opposed and the remainder were unsure. Republicans were supportive by a 64% to 28% margin; Democrats were narrowly opposed, 47% to 44%. 

It is noteworthy that this poll measured support for boots-on-the ground action against Mexico – not remotely controlled drone strikes or other actions that would keep servicemembers out of harm’s way. And while this poll was taken 18 months ago, it makes clear that voters have mixed feelings on the issue, with significant support for military action across the political spectrum. 

More polling: 

  • 62% of voters support President Trump's action to label certain international drug cartels as "foreign terrorist organizations."

  • 50% of Independents support using U.S. troops to combat Mexican cartels. Only 59% of Democrats oppose it.

  • Majorities of swing state voters support using military force to combat drug cartels in Mexico (WI: 55%, PA: 55%, MI: 51%)

    • However, if the Mexican government opposed our involvement, then majorities would oppose sending US troops to combat drug cartels (WI: 67%, PA: 64%, MI: 63%).

Published: September 2025