In the waters near Venezuela, the United States carried out a strike on a small boat suspected of trafficking drugs, resulting in the death of six individuals, as confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
All casualties were on board the targeted vessel, and there were no injuries to U.S. personnel, according to a statement made by the Republican leader on a social media platform.
This incident marks the fifth lethal strike in the Caribbean region, reflecting the Trump administration’s stance on treating alleged drug traffickers as combatants engaged in illicit activities that warrant military intervention.
President Trump disclosed that the strike, authorized by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth early Tuesday, was captured on video and shared online. The operation, conducted in international waters, was based on intelligence confirming the vessel’s involvement in drug trafficking linked to illicit networks.
Although the Pentagon has not provided additional details in response to inquiries, concerns and frustrations are mounting among U.S. lawmakers from both major political parties. While some Republicans seek clarity on the legal basis and specifics of such actions, Democrats argue that the strikes defy domestic and international laws.
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Images provided by Getty Images, The Canadian Press and Reuters.
Last week, the U.S. Senate considered a war powers resolution aiming to restrict the administration’s ability to conduct such strikes without explicit congressional approval. However, the resolution did not pass, leading to continued scrutiny over the administration’s rationale.
In a communication to Congress obtained by The Associated Press, the administration asserted engagement in a non-international armed conflict with designated terrorist groups, justifying military actions under the laws of armed conflict.
Despite claims of targeting drug-trafficking vessels, the administration has not shared conclusive evidence with lawmakers, according to anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
These strikes followed a significant buildup of U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean, signaling a departure from previous military deployments in the region.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino has dismissed the drug-trafficking allegations as false, attributing U.S. actions to ulterior motives aimed at destabilizing the government. He cautioned against potential escalations and criticized the U.S. approach as aggressive and unwarranted.
“The population should be prepared, as the irrational behavior of the U.S. empire is concerning and abnormal,” stated Padrino during a televised address, denouncing the militaristic tactics employed by the U.S. administration.