Overview

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said U.S. forces, on President Trump’s order, struck a boat in international waters off Venezuela this morning.
• He reported four men were killed and labeled them “drug terrorists” in a post on X.
• Hegseth said the vessel carried a substantial quantity of narcotics bound for the United States.
• He warned of further actions as long as drugs are supplied to U.S. consumers.
• U.S. media report the White House has told Congress it views an armed conflict with cartels and has designated some groups as terrorists, drawing criticism over legal authority after earlier strikes reportedly left 17 dead.