U.S. Military Strikes Alleged Drug Smuggling Boat Off Venezuela Coast

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): The United States conducted a major military strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat near the Venezuelan coast in international waters. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Friday that four “narco-terrorists” on board the vessel were killed during the operation.

Hegseth also shared a video on social media platform X, showing the boat speeding through the sea before being engulfed in flames and an explosion. He wrote, “As long as drugs continue to threaten American citizens, operations like this will continue.”

Following the Defense Secretary’s statement, the White House said the attack was carried out under international law and that Congress had been notified in advance, as required by procedure. The Trump administration has classified drug cartels as terrorist organizations and stated that the U.S. is now in an armed conflict with them. Trump’s communications director welcomed the strike, saying, “Deadly drugs and traffickers have now been turned to stardust.”

However, the attack has drawn international concern. Many legal experts have described the operation as extrajudicial killing, despite the targets being drug smugglers.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro strongly condemned the attack, stating, “The real drug mafia resides in the U.S., Europe, and Dubai. This boat carried poor Caribbean youths.” He added that while boats can be seized, blowing them up violates legal principles and human rights.