Marco Rubio Says U.S. Has 'Reliable Intelligence' on Caribbean Drug Boats, Declines to Discuss Sources

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. military is acting on "reliable intelligence" in targeting boats allegedly smuggling narcotics through the Caribbean. However, he declined to disclose how that information is gathered.

"The Department of War knows who's on those boats and what they're doing," Rubio told Fox News Sunday, responding to criticism that the Trump administration's recent attacks on vessels near Venezuelan waters have resulted in deaths rather than arrests. "There are many boats running through that region ... and they don't take shots at them because they need to know with 100 percent certainty."

Rubio said he could not reveal how the intelligence is obtained but noted that the Pentagon, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has "tremendous confidence" in its information. "What is a boat doing 15 miles into international waters with four 450 engines, no fishing rods, and clear markings of drugs on those boats?" he said.

"We know who these boats are. We've known who these boats are for a very long time."

The secretary defended the military's actions, saying they mark the first time the U.S. has conducted direct operations in the region against traffickers. "These are traffickers of poison that are ultimately winding up in our streets, contributing to crime and death in the United States," Rubio said.

The interview followed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's announcement that U.S. forces had destroyed another suspected drug vessel off Venezuela's coast. Speaking at Naval Station Norfolk on Sunday, Trump praised the military's actions against what he called "cartel terrorists." "We did another one last night," Trump said. "They're not coming in by sea anymore, so now we'll have to start looking about the land because they'll be forced to go by land."

In a social media post following Friday's attack, Defense Secretary Hegseth claimed the vessel targeted was "transporting substantial amounts of narcotics – headed to America to poison our people," though he provided no evidence to support that claim.

The latest strike is part of a broader U.S. campaign in the Caribbean that has included multiple attacks on vessels near Venezuelan waters, resulting in at least 20 reported deaths. Venezuelan officials have denounced the actions as "provocations."

Rubio maintained that the operations are lawful and effective. "They've already had a dramatic impact," he said. "The number of boats running drugs has dramatically decreased in the last few weeks. There are drugs that are not in the streets of the United States right now because of what President Trump and his administration are doing."