U.S. Navy Conducts Caribbean Strike Under President Trump’s Direction
Washington, D.C. — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed on Thursday that three individuals were killed in a U.S. Navy strike targeting a vessel in the Caribbean. The operation was carried out under the direction of President Donald Trump as part of a wider effort to curb drug trafficking.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Hegseth stated that the Department of War had conducted a “lethal kinetic strike” against a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. He noted that the ship was “trafficking narcotics in international waters” and that no U.S. personnel were harmed during the mission.
U.S. Anti-Narcotics Campaign Intensifies
The strike forms part of an ongoing U.S. military campaign designed to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the country. Official reports indicate that the military has conducted 17 strikes so far, destroying 18 vessels and killing 70 individuals believed to be linked to drug operations.
Of the survivors, two were detained temporarily by the U.S. Navy before being repatriated, while a third person is believed to have died during a search operation led by the Mexican Navy.
Legal Debate Over U.S. Military Actions
A classified Justice Department report has informed Congress that the United States is now engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, beginning with the first strike on September 2.
According to the report, those targeted have been classified as “unlawful combatants,” giving the administration authority to conduct lethal strikes without judicial review.
This interpretation has sparked criticism from human rights organizations and several members of Congress, who argue that suspected traffickers should face prosecution under traditional law enforcement measures rather than military engagement. Critics have also noted the administration has not provided public evidence linking the attacked vessels directly to drug trafficking networks.
U.S. Position on Venezuela and Regional Stability
Despite Venezuela not being a major supplier of cocaine to the U.S. market, the Trump administration has continued efforts to associate President Nicolás Maduro with the regional narcotics trade. Meanwhile, the U.S. has expanded its military presence near Caracas, raising concerns among neighboring nations.
According to officials briefed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, and a representative from the White House Office of Legal Counsel, the U.S. currently has no legal authorization or plans to launch strikes against land targets in Venezuela or elsewhere.
Briefers clarified that the Justice Department’s authorization for the current operation only covers maritime targets involved in suspected drug trafficking. However, they did not rule out the possibility of future policy adjustments.
Source: U.S. Department of Defense, Justice Department briefings, and congressional reports
