Trump: Says U.S. hit another Venezuelan ship last night

Trump: Says U.S. hit another Venezuelan ship last night

In a significant escalation of its ongoing campaign against drug trafficking, the Trump administration has announced that U.S. forces struck another boat off the coast of Venezuela in international waters. This is the fourth such operation in recent months, highlighting the administration's aggressive stance against narcotics smuggling.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike, stating that the boat was carrying substantial amounts of narcotics and was headed toward U.S. territory. The operation resulted in the deaths of four individuals, whom Hegseth referred to as "male narcoterrorists." The strike was conducted in international waters and no U.S. forces were harmed .

President Donald Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, emphasized the need to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S., claiming that the strike was part of a broader effort to combat drug-related violence and terrorism. He has repeatedly accused Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro of facilitating drug trafficking, despite Maduro's denials .

The U.S. has been building up its military presence in the Caribbean, with significant assets, including F-35 jets and naval ships, positioned near Venezuela. This build-up has been accompanied by a series of strikes on suspected narco-trafficking vessels, with at least 17 people killed in these operations .

The legal basis for these strikes has been a subject of debate. The Trump administration has classified cartel members as "unlawful combatants," a designation that allows for pre-emptive strikes and indefinite detention. However, many legal experts question the application of this designation to drug runners, arguing that it has not been used in this context before .

The strikes have also drawn criticism from lawmakers, who have accused the administration of waging a "secret war" without the consent of Congress. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, has called for a War Powers Resolution to prevent further unilateral action .

The ongoing conflict highlights the complex interplay between drug trafficking, national security, and international relations. As the U.S. continues to build its military presence in the region, the situation remains fluid, with potential for further escalation or de-escalation depending on the actions of Caracas and Congress.