The U.S. government reported this Friday that a drug boat was sunk off the coast of Venezuela during a military operation ordered by President Donald Trump, in which four alleged drug traffickers were killed.
“This morning, under the orders of President Trump, I directed a lethal and kinetic strike against a drug trafficking vessel affiliated with designated terrorist organizations,” reported on the social network X the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth.
Four male narco-terrorists died in the attack, and no U.S. forces were injured,” it was reported.
The attack took place in international waters, in an area of the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), off the coast of Venezuela, while the vessel was -allegedly- carrying a significant shipment of narcotics bound for the United States.
"Our intelligence, without a doubt, confirmed that this vessel was trafficking drugs. The individuals on board were narco-terrorists operating on a well-known route for illegal trafficking," Hegseth asserted.
The official warned that this type of action will continue "until the attacks against the American people cease."
With this, it would be at least the fourth attack against narco-boats this year, part of a growing and controversial military campaign that Washington justifies as part of its "zero tolerance" policy against drug trafficking and transnational terrorism; while countries in the region view it as a threat and accuse Trump of carrying out possible extrajudicial executions against fishermen in the area.
The authorities have not disclosed the nationality of the deceased nor specified whether the sunken boat left Venezuelan territory.
Venezuela, which has denied links to international drug trafficking operations, has not yet publicly reacted to the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sinking of Narco Boats by the U.S.
Why did the United States sink a drug boat off the coast of Venezuela?
The United States government, under the orders of President Donald Trump, carried out a lethal strike against a drug boat off the coast of Venezuela because, according to its intelligence, the vessel was trafficking drugs and the individuals on board were considered "narco-terrorists" operating on a well-known route for illicit trafficking. The attack is part of the "zero tolerance" policy against drug trafficking and transnational terrorism promoted by Washington.
What has been Venezuela's response to these attacks from the United States?
Venezuela has denied having links to international drug trafficking and has not publicly responded to the specific incident of the sinking of the drug boat. However, in similar contexts, the Venezuelan government has condemned the actions of the United States as unjustified aggressions and part of an attempt at military intervention in the region.
What implications does this U.S. military operation have in the Caribbean region?
The U.S. military operation in the Caribbean has generated regional tensions and is viewed as a potential threat of escalation into armed conflict. Several governments in the region have expressed concern over the use of lethal force in international waters and the possibility that these actions could lead to a larger conflict. Furthermore, the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean has been interpreted as an effort to increase pressure on Nicolás Maduro's government in Venezuela.
What criticisms has the Trump administration received for these military actions?
The Trump administration has faced criticism regarding the legality and proportionality of the attacks against alleged drug trafficking vessels. Some U.S. senators have questioned whether these actions constitute an abuse of executive authority and have warned about the risk of escalating violence. Additionally, international figures, such as the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, have described these operations as "assassinations," arguing that the deceased were not major drug traffickers but young poor individuals used by trafficking networks.
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