The United States military has carried out a high-seas strike in the southern Caribbean, destroying a suspected drug-running vessel from Venezuela and killing 11 people identified by the president as members of a notorious criminal organisation. Officials confirmed that no US personnel were injured in the operation.
According to the government statement, the targeted speedboat was carrying a large quantity of illegal narcotics and was operated by members of a Venezuelan gang long accused of violent crimes and trafficking. The strike, conducted in international waters, is being described as a significant escalation in maritime counter-narcotics operations.
Footage released after the incident, reportedly captured by aerial surveillance, shows the vessel erupting into flames following the attack. Venezuelan authorities have rejected the US claims, alleging that the video was generated using artificial intelligence technology. Independent verification of the footage is still underway.
The US Department of Defense has not disclosed details about the type or quantity of drugs on board, nor the precise tactics used in the strike. Security analysts note that destroying a suspected smuggling vessel outright, rather than attempting to seize it, is highly unusual and more reminiscent of counterterrorism operations than standard maritime interdictions.
In recent weeks, the US has bolstered its presence in the region, deploying a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, multiple warships, and P-8 surveillance aircraft to enhance intelligence gathering and rapid-response capabilities. The latest strike underscores the heightened military posture and the administration’s stated commitment to intensifying its fight against transnational drug networks.
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