NYT Says U.S. Warplane Disguised as Civilian Used in Caribbean Drug-Ship Strike

Overview

• The New York Times reported on Jan. 12 that a Sept. 2 operation used a military aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane to attack a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean.
• Japanese outlets citing Kyodo relayed the report, and U.S. authorities have not publicly confirmed the account.
• The strike was described as the first of its kind in that theater targeting a drug-smuggling ship.
• According to the Times’ reporting, the aircraft bore atypical paint and no military insignia.
• Coverage citing U.S. military information says the vessel had departed Venezuela and that 11 people were killed, including survivors reportedly targeted in a follow-on strike.