The Pentagon announced that a US military operation targeting an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean resulted in the deaths of three individuals over the weekend. This incident is part of a series of similar attacks taking place in international waters.
The US has dispatched Navy vessels to the Caribbean and deployed F-35 stealth warplanes to Puerto Rico as part of a significant military presence aimed at combating drug trafficking. Recent reports indicate that over 15 strikes on boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific have led to the deaths of at least 65 individuals, drawing criticism from regional governments.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth confirmed the latest strike on a “narco-trafficking vessel” in the Caribbean through a social media post. According to Hegseth, the targeted vessel, like others, was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling based on intelligence reports. The operation, carried out in international waters, resulted in the deaths of three male suspects described as “narco-terrorists.”
While Washington continues its pursuit and elimination of alleged drug traffickers, experts have raised concerns about the extrajudicial nature of these attacks, emphasizing the lack of public evidence regarding the targets’ involvement in drug smuggling or posing threats to the US.
Hegseth reiterated the US commitment to targeting and neutralizing suspected drug traffickers. He shared video footage depicting the strike on the vessel, showing the moment of impact followed by a fireball. However, like previous releases, the video obscures parts of the vessel, making it difficult to verify the exact number of individuals onboard.
The United Nations has called on the US to cease these strikes, with UN rights chief Volker Turk denouncing the killings as unjustifiable under international law. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, facing drug charges in the US, accused Washington of exploiting drug trafficking allegations to justify intervention for political motives, particularly related to Venezuela’s oil reserves.
Despite previous rhetoric, US President Donald Trump clarified that military action against Venezuela is not under consideration. Maduro has denied drug cultivation in Venezuela, claiming the country unwillingly serves as a conduit for Colombian cocaine trafficking. The US administration has notified Congress of its engagement in an “armed conflict” with Latin American drug cartels, labeling them as terrorist organizations to justify the military operations.