The US has struck another vessel off the coast of Venezuela on Tuesday, killing six people, President Donald Trump has said.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated the vessel belonged to narcoterrorists and was trafficking narcotics. This marks the fifth strike by the Trump administration against a boat accused of drug trafficking in international waters since September, totaling 27 reported fatalities, although the US has not provided evidence or identities of the vessels or individuals involved.
Some lawyers argue that the US actions breach international law, and nations like Colombia and Venezuela have condemned the strikes.
In his Truth Social post, Trump asserted intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known route for smuggling. He accompanied his statement with an aerial surveillance video showing a missile strike on a small boat.
Trump did not divulge the nationality of those on board or the suspected drug smuggling organization. He confirmed no US military personnel were injured.
This strike follows a leaked memo sent to Congress indicating that the administration views the US as being in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels, leading to the deployment of multiple warships to the Caribbean.
The US has framed these operations as acts of self-defense, yet many legal experts contend their illegality. The situation is seen as part of a broader political strategy to apply military pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, especially with the announcement of a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest on drug trafficking charges.
The Venezuelan government has reacted with anger, with President Maduro denying any involvement with drug trafficking and questioning the authenticity of the footage released by Trump.
