Overview
- U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the lethal strike was carried out at President Trump’s direction against a vessel he described as operated by a Designated Terrorist.
- Officials reported the attack occurred in international waters, released aerial footage of the hit, and said no U.S. personnel were injured.
- The operation raises the death toll to roughly 70 since September and brings claimed vessel losses to 18, figures the administration has promoted without independent verification.
- Legal experts and the U.N. human rights chief have warned the tactics resemble extrajudicial killings and urged rapid, independent investigations.
- The campaign has strained regional politics with Venezuela and Colombia as Washington labels cartels terrorists and deploys warships, F-35s to Puerto Rico, and a major aircraft carrier.