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Trump: Cartels will think twice after US strike targeting Venezuelan gang

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday justified the lethal military strike that his administration said was carried out a day earlier against a Venezuelan gang as a necessary effort by the United States to send an unmistakable message to Latin American cartels.

Asked why the military did not instead interdict the vessel and capture those on board, Trump said the operation would cause drug smugglers to think twice about trying to move drugs into the U.S.


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By AAMER MADHANI, MATTHEW LEE and FARNOUSH AMIRI – Associated Press

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