Defense Secretary Confirms Operation
The U.S. military carried out an attack on a boat in international waters near Venezuela on Friday, killing four men, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced. He described the individuals as drug smugglers but did not provide evidence or identify the group involved.
Hegseth said the strike was conducted under President Donald Trump’s orders and shared an aerial video showing the vessel exploding at sea.
Part of a Wider Campaign
The operation was the fourth since early September in which the U.S. military has used force against boats in the Caribbean Sea. In total, 21 people have been killed during these missions. The Trump administration has said the targets were linked to gangs or cartels designated as terrorist organizations.
In a message posted online, Hegseth said U.S. intelligence confirmed the boat was moving narcotics along a known trafficking route and vowed that such strikes “will continue.”
Legal Debate
The administration has told Congress that President Trump considers the United States to be in an armed conflict with the designated cartels. On that basis, it has argued that crews of drug-smuggling vessels are “unlawful combatants,” not civilians, and can be targeted with lethal force.
The claim has been disputed by legal specialists, including former military lawyers, who argue that drug trafficking does not constitute the type of armed attack that allows for the use of military force under international law.
Hegseth, who has criticized the military’s legal corps, removed senior judge advocate general officers earlier this year.
Expanding Military Use
Since July, the Trump administration has directed the Pentagon to use military force against Latin American groups labeled as terrorists. Naval forces in the southern Caribbean have been reinforced as part of the effort.
- On Sept. 2, U.S. Special Operations forces attacked a vessel said to carry 11 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
- On Sept. 15, another strike killed three Venezuelans.
- On Sept. 19, a third attack killed three more individuals, though their nationalities were not disclosed.
Officials say the Pentagon has prepared options for extending operations into Venezuelan territory, though no decision has been announced. Some aides have also urged military action to remove President Nicolás Maduro.
Political Context
Maduro has been indicted in the United States on drug trafficking and corruption charges and is accused of overseeing a fraudulent 2024 election. The Trump administration has increased a reward for his capture and continues to describe him as illegitimate.
Traditionally, U.S. counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean have been conducted by the Coast Guard, with suspects arrested and prosecuted. The current campaign represents a shift toward direct military engagement.
Related Coverage
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
- National News – https://idahonews.co/national-news/
- Global News – https://idahonews.co/global-news/
About the Author
