American Military Action Kills 4 during Suspected Drug Boat Incident near Venezuela's Coast

According to American defense chief the Pentagon's top official, a US strike eliminated four people during a mission targeting a boat allegedly carrying narcotics in international waters near Venezuela.

This action occurred just a day after US officials informed lawmakers regarding the US was entering an armed confrontation with narco-trafficking organizations.

It represents at least the fourth such extraordinary and controversial operation by US forces beyond American waters in recent weeks.

Specifics of the Military Operation

Hegseth indicated that the vessel was targeted while carrying substantial amounts of narcotics bound for the United States, which he described as poisoning the people.

“Our intelligence, without a doubt, confirmed that this vessel was trafficking narcotics, the people onboard were narco-terrorists, and they were operating on a known narco-trafficking transit route,” he declared via an online statement.

The defense secretary also claimed that the boat was “affiliated with” terrorist groups, a label introduced through a private document to Congress.

Legal and Governmental Background

US officials have notified the legislative branch regarding its view that drug trafficking organizations as “non-state armed groups” and their actions smuggling drugs “constitute an armed attack” against the United States.

The memo included a secret session with lawmakers of the Senate armed services committee, conducted earlier this week.

White House representatives attempted to legitimize these operations under Trump’s Article II powers, which allow military action in self-defense in limited engagements.

Previous Strikes and Global Reaction

Prior to this strike, US forces had conducted attacks against three vessels in the Caribbean, resulting in 17 deaths and causing widespread international outrage.

Hegseth emphasized that these strikes “will continue” as long as “threats to US citizens persist”.

Administrative Changes and Oversight

Officials have allegedly strengthened the Homeland Security Council to operate as an independent entity within the executive branch, a shift unlike prior governments where it reported to the security chief.

The reorganization affected the planning and execution of such strikes, with some officials learning of operations only hours before they occur.

Regardless of the administration’s claims, legal experts point out that labeling cartels as foreign terrorist organizations does not provide extra powers for using lethal force without solid proof linking them to a foreign government.

So far, US officials has yet to offer proof concerning the alleged penetration by cartels into Venezuela's regime.