US Strikes Vessel Off Venezuela, Claims to Target Drug Traffickers

Mon Oct 20 2025 22:17:46 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a controversial strike, the US has attacked a vessel off Venezuela's coast, killing six individuals, alleging they were involved in drug trafficking.

The US government has conducted an airstrike on a vessel off the coast of Venezuela, resulting in six deaths. President Trump stated that the vessel was linked to 'narcoterrorists' trafficking narcotics. This marks the fifth such incident since September, with lawyers arguing that the strikes may breach international law. The US has framed these actions as self-defense amid increasing tensions with Venezuela, particularly regarding drug trafficking and political conflicts.

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 said the vessel belonged to 'narcoterrorists' and that it was 'trafficking narcotics.'

This is the fifth strike of its kind by the Trump administration on a boat accused of trafficking drugs on international waters since September. In total, 27 people have been reported killed, but the US has not provided evidence or details about identities of the vessels or those on board them.

Some lawyers have accused the US of breaching international law, and neighbouring nations like Colombia and Venezuela have condemned the strikes.

In his Truth Social post, Trump said 'intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known' route for smuggling.

He also posted an aerial surveillance video showing a small boat on water that is struck by a missile and explodes.

Trump did not specify the nationality of those on board or which drug smuggling organization they are suspected of belonging to. He added that no US military personnel were injured.

The strike comes after a recent leaked memo sent to Congress, reported by US media, that said the administration determined the US was in a 'non-international armed conflict' with drug cartels. In response, multiple warships have been deployed to the Caribbean.

The US has framed these strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels as self-defense, despite many lawyers questioning their legality. Framing this as an active armed conflict is likely a way for Trump to justify using more extreme wartime powers.

While there is drug trafficking in Venezuela and some cartels operate in the region, it's not viewed as a central hub compared to other places. Many believe this is part of a broader political strategy to exert military pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, especially after the announcement of a $50m reward for information leading to his arrest on drug-trafficking charges.

Venezuela's government has reacted angrily to the strikes, with President Maduro denying US accusations of his involvement in drug trafficking.