The United States military has carried out a strike on a small boat off the coast of Venezuela, killing six people in what President Donald Trump described as part of an ongoing campaign against drug trafficking networks in the Caribbean. The attack, ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was conducted in international waters and marks the fifth U.S. strike in the region in recent weeks.
According to President Trump, intelligence reports confirmed that the targeted vessel was linked to “narcoterrorist networks” and was allegedly transporting illegal narcotics. He released a short video showing the explosion of the boat, calling the strike “a clear message to drug cartels operating near our waters.” Trump emphasized that no U.S. forces were injured during the operation.
However, the incident has sparked controversy both in the United States and abroad. Lawmakers and human rights observers have questioned the legality of the strikes, noting that the administration has yet to provide concrete evidence that the boats were indeed carrying drugs. Some critics argue that these actions could violate international law and U.S. constitutional limits on the use of military force without congressional approval.
The Venezuelan government swiftly condemned the strike, calling it an act of aggression and a violation of regional sovereignty. Officials in Caracas demanded an international investigation into the incident and accused the U.S. of using the war on drugs as a cover for military interference in Latin America.
Analysts say the operation underscores the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to combating drug smuggling, a strategy that has expanded beyond traditional law enforcement into direct military action. The recent wave of strikes highlights growing tension between Washington and Latin American nations wary of U.S. intervention.
While the Pentagon has defended the operation as a necessary measure to protect U.S. borders and prevent the flow of narcotics, questions remain about transparency and accountability. With rising criticism from both domestic and international observers, the incident adds to an already complex debate over America’s use of force in the region.