U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the Pentagon, under his orders, destroyed a vessel allegedly transporting narcotics in the U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility. According to Trump, the strike killed three suspected “narcoterrorists,” though no evidence has been presented. Aerial footage posted on Truth Social showed the vessel being hit by projectiles before erupting in flames.
The strike marks at least the third U.S. attack on suspected drug boats in recent weeks. It coincides with a significant military buildup in the southern Caribbean, including seven U.S. warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and the deployment of 10 F-35 stealth fighters, five of which recently landed in Puerto Rico.
Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told troops in the region that they were on the “front lines” of counter-narcotics operations, rather than routine training. The Trump administration previously confirmed a September 2 strike targeting an alleged Venezuelan gang vessel. However, Venezuela denied the claim, insisting those killed were not affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Washington of using the strikes as a pretext to destabilize his government. The U.S. recently doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, citing alleged ties to drug trafficking—an accusation Maduro denies.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have condemned the operations as “unlawful extrajudicial killings.” Critics argue that the drug trade does not constitute an armed conflict under international law and warn that bypassing judicial process undermines U.S. human rights obligations.
The legality of striking and destroying suspected drug vessels instead of seizing them remains highly controversial, raising concerns over accountability and congressional oversight in military operations.