US Military Strike off Venezuelan Coast Claims Six Lives

Mon Oct 20 2025 18:35:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent attack by the US military on a vessel off the coast of Venezuela resulted in the deaths of six individuals, prompting accusations of illegal actions by international law experts, while President Trump defends the action as a necessary measure against narcotrafficking.

The US has executed another military strike off the coast of Venezuela, killing six people. President Trump stated that the targeted vessel was involved in drug trafficking and associated with 'narcoterrorists'. This marks the fifth strike on such vessels in recent weeks, raising questions about legality and international response from neighboring countries like Colombia and Venezuela.

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

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated the vessel belonged to narcoterrorists and was involved in trafficking narcotics. This is the fifth strike of its kind by the Trump administration against boats accused of drug trafficking on international waters since September, with a total of 27 reported fatalities. Notably, the US has not yet provided evidence or information about the identities of the vessels or individuals onboard.

Legal experts have raised concerns that these actions may violate international law, and neighboring nations, including Colombia and Venezuela, have condemned the strikes.

In his statement, Trump claimed that intelligence had confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics and was linked to illicit narcoterrorist networks, traversing a known smuggling route. To substantiate his claims, he posted an aerial surveillance video showing a missile strike on a small boat, resulting in an explosion.

Trump did not disclose the nationality of the victims or which drug trafficking organizations they might be affiliated with, though he asserted that no US military personnel were injured in the operation.

This military action follows a leaked memo sent to Congress, indicating that the administration regards the US as being in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels.

The US has also deployed numerous warships to the Caribbean, positioning these strikes as acts of self-defense, despite questions regarding their legality.

Framing this as an armed conflict allows Trump to justify more aggressive wartime powers, potentially authorized to target enemy fighters without proving an immediate threat.

While some drug trafficking does occur in and around Venezuela, it is not regarded as a primary hotspot compared to other regions. This has led to speculation that the military action serves a broader political agenda aimed at increasing pressure on Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro.

The strike coincides with the US offering a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Maduro, whose election has faced widespread rejection from the international community.

Venezuelan officials have responded to previous strikes with strong condemnation, with President Maduro denying any involvement in drug trafficking, and other officials challenging the authenticity of the footage shared by Trump.