The US has struck another vessel off the coast of Venezuela, killing six people, President Donald Trump has said.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the vessel belonged to narcoterrorists and was involved in trafficking narcotics. This incident marks the fifth such strike since September, resulting in a reported total of 27 casualties, yet the US has not disclosed the identities of the vessels or individuals on board.
Critics, including some legal experts, have accused the US of violating international law, while Venezuelan and Colombian officials have condemned these military actions.
In his post, Trump asserted, intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was using a known smuggling route. He accompanied his statement with aerial surveillance footage showing a missile strike on the boat.
Details regarding the nationality of those aboard or their affiliation with specific drug trafficking organizations remain unspecified. Trump confirmed that no US military personnel were injured in this operation.
This strike follows a leaked memo indicating the administration views the US as engaged in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels. The US frames its strikes as acts of self-defense, though their legality continues to be questioned by legal authorities.
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