The US military killed four people in a strike on a suspected drug boat in the eastern Pacific, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics,” Hegseth said.
He also posted a 22-second video on X showing the boat in international waters erupting in a large explosion.
The strike followed US attacks earlier this week that killed 14 people in the region.
The latest strike brings the death toll from Washington’s anti-narcotics campaign to at least 62.
Caracas fears US attempt to oust Maduro
Also on Wednesday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the interception of three planes allegedly used for drug trafficking.
There is a massive US military buildup within striking distance of Venezuela that the US has termed an anti-drug operation.
This includes seven US Navy warships as well as F-35 stealth warplanes, and the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group.
Caracas fears it is a guise for military action to oust Maduro.
US masses more naval forces off the coast of Venezuela
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‘Possible violations of international law’
While US President Donald Trump called the strikes a necessary measure to curb the flow of drugs into the country, Washington has yet to release any public evidence showing that its targets were smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the US.
Experts have been critical of the US operation, with UN officials warning of possible violations of international law.
A spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the developments concerning and said, “Every time someone is killed, there needs to be accountability.”
Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko
