The United States military has conducted a strike on a vessel off the coast of Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of six people, according to President Donald Trump. The incident occurred on Tuesday, as reported via President Trump’s Truth Social account.
President Trump stated that the vessel was engaged in drug trafficking and was linked to “narcoterrorist” networks. This marks the fifth such strike by the Trump administration against vessels accused of drug smuggling in international waters since September. Across these operations, a total of 27 individuals have reportedly been killed. However, US officials have not yet provided specific evidence or detailed information regarding the identities of the vessels or their occupants.
The legality of these strikes has been questioned by some legal experts, and neighboring countries, including Colombia and Venezuela, have expressed condemnation.
The US President elaborated in his Truth Social post, mentioning that “intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known” smuggling route. He also shared aerial surveillance footage depicting a small boat being struck by a missile and subsequently exploding.
No US military personnel were reported to have sustained injuries during the operation. The specific drug smuggling organization implicated has not been identified by President Trump.
The strike follows a leaked memo, which was widely reported in US media, suggesting the administration’s determination that the US is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels. This, along with the deployment of several warships to the Caribbean, indicates a heightened posture in the region.
While the US frames these actions as self-defense, many legal professionals and international observers question their legality under international law. The administration’s approach could be seen as an attempt to leverage wartime powers, potentially allowing for the elimination of “enemy fighters” without a direct violent threat or indefinite detention.
While drug trafficking is a known issue in Venezuela and some cartels operate in areas connected to these alleged smuggling routes, the region is not typically highlighted as a primary hub for drug trafficking compared to other parts of South America.
Many analysts suggest that these military actions are part of a broader political strategy aimed at exerting pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who denies US accusations of involvement in drug trafficking. Venezuela’s government has previously voiced strong opposition to similar US strikes.
This news is still developing, and further details will be provided as they become available.
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