John Cornyn Backs Trump Administration on Venezuela Boat Strikes

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) praised the Trump administration's handling of U.S. military strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats operating near Venezuela during an appearance on Fox News The Faulkner Focus, following a Senate-wide classified briefing on the operations.

Cornyn said the briefing, led by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlined the planning and legal rationale behind the strikes, which the administration has framed as part of a broader campaign against maritime drug trafficking.

"The briefers, Secretary Rubio, Secretary Hegseth, and others did a good job of explaining the careful planning that went into these strikes and the legal justification," said Cornyn.

He added that the actions were consistent with prior U.S. interventions in the region and characterized narcotics trafficking as a direct threat to U.S. Security, stating, "Cocaine, fentanyl- these are weapons of mass destruction being trafficked by a designated terrorist organization."

Cornyn said he was pleased with the administration's explanation and expressed support for President Trump's approach.

"I was satisfied with what I heard, and I'm glad President Trump is doing what needs to be done to save American lives," he said.

The U.S. military began executing airstrikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea in September 2025, later expanding operations into the Eastern Pacific Ocean in October.

The Trump administration has alleged that the targeted vessels were operated by groups designated as narcoterrorists, including Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua and Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN), though it has not publicly released evidence supporting those claims.

According to publicly reported figures, at least 95 people have been killed in 25 strikes on 26 vessels.

U.S. officials say the operations are aimed at disrupting drug routes linked to fentanyl and cocaine trafficking into the United States.

The strikes have drawn sharp criticism from international states, human rights organizations, and the governments of Venezuela and Colombia, which have accused the United States of carrying out unlawful killings.

Despite that opposition, the U.S. Senate has twice rejected efforts to limit President Trump's authority to continue military action against Venezuela or conduct airstrikes against alleged drug trafficking vessels.