Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that another cartel vessel was destroyed this week under orders from President Donald Trump.

“Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization,” Hegseth said.

He added that intelligence confirmed the ship was trafficking narcotics along a known route in the Eastern Pacific. “No U.S. forces were harmed in the strike, and two male narco-terrorists — who were aboard the vessel — were killed.”

Hegseth said the mission was part of an ongoing campaign to cut off drug cartels and protect Americans.

“We will find and terminate EVERY vessel with the intention of trafficking drugs to America to poison our citizens. Protecting the homeland is our TOP priority. NO cartel terrorist stands a chance against the American military,” he said.

Since the campaign began in early September, sixteen cartel boats and one submarine have been destroyed, with at least sixty-six traffickers killed.

But while the U.S. Navy is sinking drug boats, a new threat has surfaced — one that could bring America face-to-face with Russia in the Western Hemisphere.

According to reports from The Telegraph, the Kremlin is considering sending intermediate-range ballistic missiles to Venezuela. Russian officials say the missiles could hit U.S. targets in minutes.

Alexei Zhuravlyov, deputy chairman of Russia’s parliamentary defense committee, said, “The Americans may be in for some surprises.”

“I see no obstacles to supplying a friendly country with new developments such as the Oreshnik or, let’s say, the well-proven Kalibr missiles,” Zhuravlyov told the Russian outlet Gazeta.Ru.

The Oreshnik missile, which Moscow claims can reach speeds up to Mach 10, would be capable of hitting nearly any target on the European continent within an hour if launched from Russia or Belarus. Fired from Venezuela, it could hit the U.S. East Coast.

Experts say its range of up to 3,400 miles could put New York and Washington, D.C. in danger. Los Angeles would be at risk if the missiles reach full range.

Meanwhile, Russian forces have already begun delivering air defense weapons to Venezuela. Zhuravlyov confirmed that “Russian Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2E systems were just recently delivered to Caracas by Il-76 transport aircraft.”

Only one flight has been tracked, meaning the initial delivery was likely small — perhaps only two missile batteries. Still, it marks a new level of military cooperation between Moscow and Caracas.

Venezuela is already believed to have several S-300 missile systems, but their condition and readiness are uncertain. The arrival of new Russian equipment suggests the alliance between Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is deepening.

At the same time, reports have surfaced of intense GPS jamming near Venezuela’s coast since late October, disrupting both air and sea navigation. No source has been confirmed, though analysts believe the United States may be testing interference systems ahead of possible military operations.

American forces have also been strengthening infrastructure in Puerto Rico and nearby territories, signaling potential preparation for conflict or deterrence.

The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is en route to the Caribbean after being redirected from the Mediterranean. Though progress has been slow, military experts believe the delay may be intentional — possibly to time the strike group’s arrival for a major operation.

Nearby, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has publicly aligned with the United States. The island lies only seven miles from the Venezuelan coast and could become strategically vital if conflict erupts.

Russia’s growing involvement in Venezuela has sparked fears of a new Cold War flashpoint in America’s backyard.

As tensions mount, U.S. officials warn that President Trump cannot afford to back down. The Kremlin’s threat to place missiles in Venezuela would effectively recreate a modern-day version of the Cuban Missile Crisis — and America’s response will determine what happens next.