U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced a “lethal” strike against a vessel in international waters near Venezuela, claiming it was “transporting substantial amounts of narcotics.” Hegseth stated the operation, authorized by President Donald Trump, targeted a narco-trafficking vessel linked to Designated Terrorist Organizations within the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility. He reported that four male individuals aboard the vessel were killed, with no U.S. personnel injured.

“The strike was conducted in international waters off Venezuela while the vessel transported narcotics headed to America to poison our people,” Hegseth said. He emphasized intelligence confirmed the vessel’s role in drug trafficking and its presence on a known narco-trafficking route, vowing continued strikes until “attacks on the American people are over.” Footage of the operation was shared by Hegseth.

Trump later claimed the vessel was “loaded with enough drugs to kill 25 TO 50 THOUSAND PEOPLE” and suggested it was “entering American Territory” near Venezuela. This marks the fourth deadly strike in the Caribbean since Trump reportedly classified drug traffickers as unlawful combatants, prompting concerns about expanded military action without congressional approval.

A Trump administration memo to Congress stated the U.S. is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels, citing constitutional authority as Commander in Chief. The White House described the strikes as necessary to protect American interests and national security.

Recent operations have targeted vessels from Venezuela, coinciding with a surge in U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Venezuela condemned alleged U.S. military incursions near its shores, calling the actions a “provocation” threatening sovereignty.