The United States conducted a military strike on a vessel suspected of drug trafficking near Venezuela, killing six individuals, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday. The operation marks the fifth such strike in the Caribbean since early September.
The U.S. military carried out a lethal strike Tuesday morning on a small boat allegedly involved in narcotics trafficking in international waters near Venezuela, President Donald Trump said. The strike resulted in the deaths of six men aboard the vessel, all of whom were described by the administration as “narcoterrorists.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the vessel was affiliated with a designated terrorist organization and was transiting along a known drug trafficking route. He did not specify the group involved or provide further evidence to support the claim. “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics and was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks,” Trump wrote.
The president released a 33-second video of the strike, which showed a stationary boat in the crosshairs of an aerial vehicle. Moments later, the vessel was hit by a projectile and engulfed in flames. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also shared the video on social media, reinforcing the administration’s stance on using military force against suspected drug traffickers.
No U.S. personnel were harmed during the operation, according to Trump. The strike was conducted in international waters, a detail emphasized by the administration amid growing scrutiny over the legality of such actions. The Pentagon has not released additional information about the origin of the vessel or the identities of those killed.
This latest strike brings the total number of fatalities from similar operations in the region to at least 27, according to figures provided by the administration. Since September 2, the U.S. has launched five strikes targeting boats it claims were involved in narcotics trafficking, all within the Caribbean Sea.
The Trump administration has framed these operations as part of a broader counterterrorism strategy, treating alleged drug traffickers as unlawful combatants. A memo obtained by ABC News reportedly informed Congress that the United States is engaged in “armed conflict” with drug cartels, though it did not name specific organizations.
Critics on Capitol Hill have raised concerns about the legal justification for the strikes. Lawmakers from both major parties have called for greater transparency and oversight, questioning whether the administration’s use of military force aligns with international law and U.S. statutes governing armed conflict.
The Venezuelan government has yet to issue an official response to the latest strike. However, tensions between Washington and Caracas have been escalating, with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro previously warning of retaliatory measures and signaling preparations for a potential state of emergency.
International observers are closely monitoring the situation, as the U.S. continues to expand its military footprint in the region. Human rights organizations have urged caution, warning that the use of lethal force without due process could set a dangerous precedent and undermine global norms surrounding counter-narcotics enforcement.
