Overview

• President Trump said U.S. forces struck a boat in international waters under U.S. Southern Command, killing three men he labeled narcoterrorists, and he posted video of the attack.
• Trump asserted that intelligence showed the vessel was carrying illicit drugs and was affiliated with a designated terrorist organization, and he reported no U.S. casualties.
• Axios described the operation as the fourth such strike in recent weeks, while Trump referred to it as his third recent strike.
• Axios reported that Trump has ordered seven warships with roughly 4,500 personnel, including three guided‑missile destroyers and at least one attack submarine, to waters off Venezuela.
• Axios also reported that some Trump advisers are uncertain whether the show of force is strictly a drug‑trafficking operation or signals a push against Venezuela’s government.