The United States military has targeted a drug-trafficking vessel in international waters, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.
On Monday, the US Southern Command announced the ‘lethal strike,’ which was executed under the directive of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters,” stated the official release.
Intelligence reports had verified that the vessel was navigating recognized drug smuggling routes in the Eastern Pacific and actively involved in narcotics trafficking.
Authorities reported that “two male narco-terrorists were killed,” while confirming “no U.S. military personnel were injured.”
Remarkable video footage captures the dramatic moment the vessel was destroyed, sending thick clouds of smoke into the sky over the open sea.
The revelation comes just hours after President Donald Trump announced the military had ‘hit’ an area in Venezuela where boats are loaded with drugs.
It marked the first known time Washington has carried out land operations in Venezuela since the administration launched a pressure campaign against President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
Extraordinary footage of the attack shows the moment the boat was blown up, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the air on the open waters
The US Southern Command confirmed the ‘lethal strike’ on Monday, revealing it was conducted on the orders of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth
‘There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs,’ Trump said.
‘We hit all the boats, and now we hit the area… it’s the implementation area. That’s where they implement, and that is no longer around.’
Asked if the CIA had carried out the attack, Trump said: ‘I don’t want to say that. I know exactly who it was but I don’t want to say who it was.’
Trump has previously said that he has authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela.
The mission has primarily focused on military strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels and has prompted intense oversight from Congress.
An estimated 107 people have been killed in at least 30 strikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
The White House claims these boats are ferrying illegal drugs to the US at the direction of Maduro and his government. No evidence has been provided to the public to substantiate allegations of Maduro’s involvement.
Earlier this month, military leaders briefed lawmakers on an incident in September in which an American strike killed 11 people but left several survivors who were then killed in a second strike ordered by Admiral Frank Bradley.
The revelation comes just hours afterPresident Donald Trump revealed the military had ‘hit’ an area in Venezuela where boats are loaded with drugs
Congressional Democrats have questioned whether the second strike was conducted in accordance with international law, and much of the scrutiny has fallen on Hegseth.
He was accused of trying to shift the blame onto Admiral Bradley after issuing a public statement naming the highly respected figure.
‘Let’s make one thing crystal clear: Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support,’ Hegseth wrote on X.
‘I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made — on the September 2 mission and all others since.
‘America is fortunate to have such men protecting us. When this @DeptOfWar says we have the back of our warriors — we mean it.’
The Secretary of Defense ordered the latest strike. He faced backlash and accusations of committing war crimes over separate strikes which were carried out in the Caribbean on September 2
International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on incapacitated combatants.
The Defense Department’s Law of War Manual states that shipwrecked persons cannot be knowingly attacked and must receive medical care unless they act with hostility or attempt escape.
Trump’s administration has overseen a massive US military buildup in the Caribbean, including more than 15,000 troops.
