Three men have been killed in a US strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean, according to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
This incident marks the latest in a series of military actions taken against vessels the Trump administration asserts are involved in smuggling drugs into the United States.
Since these operations commenced in September, experts have raised concerns regarding their legality under international law, facing strong backlash from Latin American leaders whose nationals have been targeted.
Combating illegal drug trafficking is a cornerstone policy for US President Donald Trump; however, some observers speculate that these strikes may serve a dual purpose—aiming to sway politically opposed governments in the region.
Hegseth mentioned that the targeted boat was operated by an unnamed designated terrorist organization and was in international waters when it was attacked. He reported that the vessel was traversing a well-known drug trafficking route laden with narcotics, though specifics were sparse.
The announcement, released late Saturday, included a video purportedly showing the boat explode after being struck.
Typically, such announcements are accompanied by low-quality footage and scant evidence regarding alleged drug trafficking activities, leaving many details, including the identities of individuals aboard, unaddressed.
The Trump administration has previously stated that some targeted vessels originated from Venezuela. They insist they are combating “narco-terrorists.”
Reports from CBS News indicate that at least 64 fatalities have occurred due to US airstrikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since early September.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned these actions as “murder,” suggesting they serve to enhance US dominance in Latin America.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused the US of fabricating a pretext for war.
These leaders have increasingly clashed with the Trump administration over its policies and approaches.
In response to Petro’s protestations, the US imposed sanctions against him and his advisors while revoking Colombia's certification as a key partner in the war on drugs. Trump has even hinted at potential military operations against land targets in Venezuela, although such actions would likely require Congressional approval, something he has denied.
Many lawmakers, regardless of political affiliation, argue that the current strikes also necessitate Congressional consent, intensifying the debate over their legality.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk categorically stated that such strikes constitute violations of international human rights law. He emphasized that over 60 individuals have already lost their lives in these US-led attacks, which he insisted lack any justification under current international legal frameworks.
Experts in Latin American geopolitics speculate that these military operations in the Caribbean and Pacific are intended as part of broader strategies to foster political change in Colombia and Venezuela.
While the US considers Maduro's government illegitimate, Trump has openly criticized Petro's methods in confronting the escalating drug crisis in his historically allied nation.
In recent months, the US has ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying an extensive array of naval assets and aircraft. This build-up has been framed as a crackdown on drug trafficking, but military observers contend it is indicative of a more complex strategy.
