- Trump confirms U.S. forces killed 3 in drug boat strike in international waters.
- Operation was third of its kind in recent weeks targeting alleged narco-vessels.
- Venezuela condemns strikes; legal experts raise human rights concerns.
United States President, Donald Trump, has confirmed that American forces carried out a deadly military strike on a vessel suspected of transporting illicit drugs in international waters.
Trump described the action as a “lethal kinetic strike,” reportedly resulted in the deaths of three men he labelled as “narcoterrorists.”
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Trump, who announced the operation on his Truth Social platform on Friday, stated that the attack was executed under his directive after U.S. intelligence verified that the vessel was trafficking illegal narcotics.
The strike occurred within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), an area that covers the Caribbean and much of South America.
This latest operation marks the third such strike in recent weeks targeting suspected drug-smuggling boats.
According to reports, two previous strikes led to the deaths of 14 individuals, allegedly linked to drug trafficking operations, with many of the vessels believed to have originated from Venezuela.
In a video accompanying his post, the vessel is seen moving through open waters before it is suddenly engulfed in a fiery explosion purportedly the moment of the strike.
Trump wrote: “Following my directive, the Secretary of War authorized a lethal strike on a vessel associated with a designated terrorist group involved in narcotrafficking in the USSOUTHCOM region.”
He further claimed that intelligence had confirmed the boat was navigating a known smuggling route and was carrying drugs aimed at reaching American shores.
“No U.S. personnel were injured in the operation,” he added, before issuing a bold warning;
“Stop sending fentanyl, narcotics, and illegal drugs to America, and stop the violence and terrorism against Americans!”
The Venezuelan government has consistently condemned the U.S. strikes.
President Nicolás Maduro has previously described the actions as acts of aggression and vowed that his country will not tolerate violations of its sovereignty.
However, questions remain over the legality of the operations.
Some legal analysts have raised concerns about whether the U.S. strikes particularly those carried out in international waters may breach international maritime and human rights laws.
The U.S. government has yet to respond to those legal concerns, but Trump has maintained a firm stance, doubling down on what he sees as a direct action against those endangering American lives through drug smuggling and terrorism.
