Sen. John Fetterman addressed concerns about U.S. military operations near Venezuela during an exchange with broadcaster Chris Cuomo, rejecting claims circulating in the media that American forces are indiscriminately targeting boats in the region.
The discussion focused on recent reporting and commentary suggesting the United States could be sliding into a broader or prolonged military engagement involving Venezuela, particularly through naval or aerial strikes against vessels suspected of narcotics trafficking.
Cuomo asked Fetterman directly what information reassured him that the situation was not escalating into an extended conflict.
“What did you learn, Senator, that gave you any comfort that we’re not heading into some kind of extended military exercise around Venezuela or in Venezuela?” Cuomo asked.
Fetterman responded by describing what he characterized as a detailed and intelligence-driven operational process used by the U.S. military.
He said claims that the military is randomly attacking boats are inaccurate and not supported by the information he reviewed.
“Yeah, absolutely, I thought. I thought it was pretty, pretty comprehensive,” Fetterman said.
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“And this, this idea, some things out in the media. It’s kind of putting out this that that the military is just picking off, you know, any boat that comes across. That’s just not true.”
Fetterman said U.S. forces rely on extensive intelligence before taking any kinetic action, including confirming the identities of individuals onboard and the nature of the cargo being transported.
“I mean, there’s extensive intelligence, and they know exactly who’s on that boat, and they know what’s actually on that boat right now,” he said.
He added that military commanders frequently choose not to engage even when vessels are under surveillance, reinforcing his claim that action is taken only when there is a high level of certainty.
“And it’s quite frequently they they decline to take it and to move on those things,” Fetterman said.
According to Fetterman, when strikes do occur, they are based on what he described as absolute confidence in the target’s involvement in criminal activity, including narcotics trafficking tied to Venezuelan networks.
“When they move on those kinetic kinds of strikes, you know, they have absolute confidence that who’s on it and what’s on it, and that’s exactly what it’s about,” he said.
Fetterman rejected suggestions that U.S. forces are acting recklessly or without clear authorization, stressing that the military does not conduct random attacks.
“They’re not just going around randomly, just shooting, shooting boats and those things,” he said.
“That’s just not the fact.”
WATCH:
Democrat Senator John Fetterman torches his own party’s narrative on striking narco-terrorists.
FETTERMAN: “There’s extensive intelligence and they know exactly who’s on that boat and they know what’s actually on that boat.” pic.twitter.com/lDoi7m2EZw
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) December 17, 2025
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