Trump says US will begin stopping Venezuelan drug traffickers ‘by land’

president Trump said Thursday that the United States will “very soon” begin stopping suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers “on land.”

Speaking to US military service members on Thanksgiving, Trump praised the US Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, and their efforts to deter Venezuelan drug networks.

“In recent weeks, you have been working to deter Venezuelan drug traffickers, of which there are many,” Trump said. “Of course, there aren’t many people coming by sea anymore. Have you probably noticed that?”

The president noted that drug traffickers kill “hundreds of thousands of people every year” in the United States because of the “toxins” they bring.

US forces in Venezuela? Trump hints at possible big moves as tensions rise

Trump said: “From sending their poison to the United States, where they kill hundreds of thousands of people every year, but we will take care of this situation.” “We do a lot already…about 85% of it is by sea.”

“You may have noticed that now people don’t want to deliver by sea, and we will start stopping them by land as well. Land is easier, but that will start very soon,” the president added.

“We are warning them: Stop sending poison into our country,” Trump said.

US military kills two suspected narco-terrorists in 16th strike in eastern Pacific, Hegseth says

US Southern Command released footage showing a precision strike carried out by US forces on a drug ship operated by a designated terrorist organization in the eastern Pacific Ocean on November 15. (US Southern Command)

Earlier this month, Trump said he did not rule out sending US ground troops to Venezuela amid a crackdown by his administration on criminal networks linked to the country’s senior leadership and drugs being exported from it.

“No, I don’t rule it out, I don’t rule anything out,” Trump said on November 17 when asked if he ruled out sending US troops to Venezuela.

US carries out more ‘deadly’ strikes on alleged drug boats in international waters, Minister Hegseth says

A US military drone strike ordered by President Trump destroyed a ship in the eastern Pacific Ocean on October 22, 2025, killing three suspected narco-terrorists, according to the War Department. (war department)

Since early September, air strikes across the eastern Pacific and Caribbean have destroyed dozens of ships, many linked to the Tren de Aragua cartel in Venezuela and the National Liberation Army in Colombia.

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Since then, the administration has carried out at least 21 fatal strikes on boats.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Weiner and Emma Colton contributed to this report.