The US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, announced that American military forces carried out a lethal attack on a boat suspected of drug trafficking in international waters near Venezuela’s coast. The incident occurred on Friday, October 3, 2025, resulting in the deaths of four men identified as narco-terrorists. The action was ordered by President Donald Trump to disrupt the flow of narcotics destined for US territory.
Hegseth released a video showing the vessel moving at high speed before being struck and engulfed in flames. Authorities claim the boat was carrying substantial amounts of drugs, confirmed by intelligence, though no details on the type of substance or public evidence about the crew were provided.
Since early September, the Trump administration has intensified operations against drug cartels in Latin America, with prior attacks killing at least 17 people on three similar vessels.
- Targets include groups designated as foreign terrorist organizations.
- Most vessels departed from Venezuelan ports.
- No names of the victims have been disclosed so far.
Legal justification for the operation
The US government notified Congress that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels. This determination classifies traffickers as unlawful combatants, allowing the use of lethal force under the laws of armed conflict. The measure aims to provide a legal basis for military actions against transnational threats.
Authorities argue that cartels conduct ongoing attacks on US interests through drug shipments. The Pentagon emphasizes that the operations are conducted in self-defense, without the need for capture or traditional judicial processes.
Designation of terrorist groups
In February 2025, President Trump classified eight organizations as foreign terrorists, including six Mexican groups, MS-13 from El Salvador, and Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua. The Treasury Department also designated the Cartel de los Soles as a global terrorist entity, alleging leadership by the Venezuelan government.
- Tren de Aragua: Accused of criminal operations, but US intelligence denies direct control by Maduro.
- Cartel de los Soles: Involved in cocaine trafficking, per official reports.
- Other cartels: Focus on maritime routes to the US.
Experts question the deep involvement of these groups in drug trafficking, but the government proceeds with the designations.
Tensions with the Venezuelan government
Nicolás Maduro accuses the United States of using the operations as a pretext for invasion and regime change. The Venezuelan government did not immediately react to Hegseth’s announcement, but tensions have risen with the deployment of US warships to the Caribbean.
In August, about 4,000 troops were sent to the southern Caribbean to combat trafficking. Maduro denies ties to cartels and views the actions as a form of maximum pressure.
Escalation of military actions
Friday’s strike marks the fourth in recent weeks, with vessels destroyed in Caribbean waters. Hegseth stated that operations will continue until threats to American citizens cease. Surveillance footage from prior attacks has been released, showing explosions on fast-moving boats.
President Trump cited drug overdoses in the US, though CDC data reports 87,000 deaths in the year ending September 2024, a 27% drop from the previous period. The actions target known drug transit routes.
- Previous attacks: Three vessels, 17 total deaths.
- Common location: International waters near Venezuela.
- Weapons used: Precision missiles, no US losses.
