U.S. Military Strikes Vessel Off Venezuela, Resulting in Six Deaths

Wed Oct 15 2025 05:33:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The United States has conducted a military strike against a vessel off the Venezuelan coast, claiming it was involved in drug trafficking. The incident has raised concerns regarding international law and the nature of U.S. military involvement in drug enforcement operations.

In a recent escalation of military action, the U.S. has targeted another vessel off the coast of Venezuela, leading to six reported fatalities. President Trump indicated that the vessel was linked to narcotrafficking, though specific details about those on board remain unclear. This incident marks the fifth such strike in recent months, attracting criticism from international legal experts and neighboring nations, who argue that such actions may violate sovereign rights and international law. The legality of these operations, framed by the U.S. as self-defense against narcoterrorism, continues to provoke debate.

The US has struck another vessel off the coast of Venezuela, killing six people, President Donald Trump has said.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump asserted that the vessel belonged to narcoterrorists and was trafficking narcotics. This marks the fifth strike of its kind by the Trump administration against boats accused of drug trafficking on international waters since September, with a reported total of 27 casualties. However, the US has not provided evidence or disclosed the identities of the vessels or individuals involved.

Legal observers raised accusations against the US, claiming violations of international law, with neighboring countries like Colombia and Venezuela condemning these strikes.

Trump mentioned in his post, Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics and had ties to illicit narcoterrorist networks. It was transiting along a known route for smuggling. He also shared aerial footage illustrating a missile strike on a small boat, leading to an explosion.

Despite the striking visuals, Trump did not clarify the nationality of those aboard or the specific drug smuggling organization's affiliations. He confirmed that no US military personnel were harmed in the operation.

This strike follows a recently leaked memo to Congress, which characterized the US as being in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels, framing these military actions as acts of self-defense. However, their legality has been consistently challenged by legal experts.