President Donald Trump has announced that U.S. forces conducted a “lethal kinetic strike” on a vessel believed to be involved in drug trafficking. According to Trump, the operation resulted in the deaths of three individuals identified as “male narcoterrorists.” This marks the third such strike in recent weeks, targeting vessels suspected of drug smuggling within the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility.
The strike occurred in international waters, as stated by Trump in a social media post. The U.S. Southern Command’s operational area encompasses most of South America and the Caribbean. Previous strikes in this series have resulted in the deaths of 14 people on boats allegedly linked to Venezuela.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has publicly condemned these actions, asserting that his nation will defend itself against what he described as U.S. “aggression.” Trump’s statement, made on his social media platform, included a video depicting the targeted vessel exploding and catching fire.
“On my Orders, the Secretary of War ordered a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization conducting narcotrafficking in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” Trump stated. He further explained that intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics and heading towards the United States with the intent to “poison Americans.” Trump emphasized that no U.S. forces were harmed during the operation and issued a strong warning against the sale of fentanyl and other illegal drugs, as well as acts of violence and terrorism against Americans.
Legal experts have previously raised concerns that such fatal strikes in international waters might contravene international human rights and maritime laws, as reported by the BBC.