US Claims Four Killed in New Strike on Alleged Drug-Smuggling Vessel off Venezuela

The United States military carried out a strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat off the coast of Venezuela on Friday, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, according to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth confirmed the latest operation via a post on X (formerly Twitter), noting that this marks at least the fourth such strike, bringing the total number of fatalities to at least 21.

An accompanying video released by the Pentagon shows a boat speeding through the waves before being engulfed in smoke and flames.

“Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike,” Hegseth wrote.

The Defence Secretary stated the operation:

• Took place in international waters just off the Venezuelan coast.
• Targeted a vessel transporting substantial amounts of narcotics intended for the United States.

“These strikes will continue until the attacks on the American people are over!!!!” Hegseth added.

The strike comes after President Donald Trump’s administration notified Congress that the US is engaged in “armed conflict” with drug cartels.

However, Washington has not provided evidence that the vessels targeted were actively involved in narcotics trafficking. Legal experts argue that summary killings at sea could be illegal, even if the targets were confirmed traffickers.

The Pentagon’s notice to Congress, obtained by AFP, asserts that:

• Cartels are non-state armed groups.
• They have been designated as terrorist organisations.
• Their actions are considered armed attacks against the United States, and suspected smugglers are classified as “unlawful combatants.”

This letter served as the legal rationale for at least three previous strikes.

Trump’s Director of Communications, Steven Cheung, hailed the operation, stating that the traffickers and their “deadly drugs have been turned into stardust.”

Trump himself posted the Pentagon video on Truth Social, commenting:

“A boat loaded with enough drugs to kill 25,000 to 50,000 people was stopped early this morning off the coast of Venezuela from entering American territory.”

In contrast, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro condemned the attack as “armed aggression”, accusing the US of seeking regime change and the theft of Venezuela’s oil, gas, gold, and natural resources. Speaking in Caracas, Maduro mobilised reservists and militias, warning that escalation to armed combat could occur if necessary.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a critic of Trump’s policy, posted on X:

“The narcoterrorists don’t go in the boats – the narcos live in the US, Europe, and Dubai. There were poor Caribbean youths on that boat. Striking vessels that could instead be intercepted at sea violates the universal judicial principle of proportionality, and therefore is murder.”

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela remain high due to the deployment of multiple US warships in the Caribbean. While Washington maintains their mission is to combat drug trafficking, Caracas views the presence as a threat.

Venezuela reported on Thursday that five US fighter jets conducted an “illegal incursion” off its shores. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino called the alleged flights a provocation.

Last month, Trump deployed 10 F-35 aircraft to Puerto Rico, marking the largest US military deployment in the region in over three decades.

Strike Overview Table

This latest strike underscores escalating military operations in the Caribbean amid ongoing accusations of drug trafficking and growing geopolitical tensions between the United States and Venezuela.