United States forces conducted a military strike on a vessel suspected of carrying illegal drugs off the coast of Venezuela on Friday, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
The operation, part of ongoing US efforts to counter drug trafficking in the region, has followed at least three similar strikes, leaving at least 21 people dead in total.The strike took place in international waters near Venezuela while the boat was reportedly transporting large amounts of narcotics.
Video footage shared by US officials showed the vessel engulfed in smoke and flames after the attack. US authorities described the operation as part of a broader campaign against drug cartels deemed non-state armed groups involved in attacks on the United States.
The action has drawn strong criticism from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and regional allies, who called the strike an act of armed aggression and accused the US of attempting to destabilize Venezuela and seize its resources.
Maduro announced that reservists and local militias would be mobilized in case of further escalations. The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), a regional bloc, condemned the attack as a violation of international law.
Tensions between the US and Venezuela have risen in recent months, following the deployment of American warships and fighter jets in the Caribbean. Venezuelan authorities reported that US jets flew near their territorial waters earlier this week, describing the activity as a provocation.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro also criticized the strike, arguing that the targeted vessel included vulnerable youths rather than high-level traffickers.The US government has justified its military actions by classifying the targeted cartels as terrorist organizations and their members as unlawful combatants.
However, the strikes have raised questions about legality under international law, particularly concerning the use of lethal force against suspected smugglers at sea without judicial oversight.
The recent strike adds to rising tensions in the Caribbean and Latin America, as US efforts to intercept narcotics at sea continue amid growing opposition from neighboring governments and international observers.