Overview
- Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on X that, on President Donald Trump’s orders, U.S. forces carried out a nighttime attack in international waters that killed the boat’s four occupants, with no U.S. injuries reported.
- The Department of War now tallies 15 maritime strikes since early September across the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, saying the operations have resulted in 61 fatalities.
- U.S. statements describe those targeted as narcoterrorists tied to designated terrorist organizations and claim intelligence linked the vessels to narcotics trafficking.
- Videos released by U.S. officials show boats being hit but do not verify drug cargoes, and Washington has not provided independent evidence to substantiate the trafficking claims.
- Venezuela and Colombia have denounced the actions as unlawful killings, NGOs including Amnesty International question their legality, and Venezuela has declared a state of external commotion with militia mobilization, while a prior multi‑boat strike left 14 dead and a lone survivor later rescued by the Mexican Navy.