The US military carried out another strike on the alleged narco-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing eight people on board, officials said.
Tensions between the United States and Venezuela are soaring amid the recent escalatory statements. In a statement on X, the US Southern Command said, "Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking.”
The statement added that "A total of eight male narco-terrorists were killed during these actions – three in the first vessel, two in the second and three in the third." The US military, like in previous cases, did not provide any evidence of their claims; however, a video posted with a statement showed a fast-moving boat in the waters before it exploded.
Since August 2025, US forces stationed in the Caribbean and Pacific have killed at least 90 people and bombed 20 vessels. President Trump has defended his decision in the US Congress, saying that his country is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels.
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The latest strikes follow the Trump administration’s thorough scrutiny in the US Congress over its ongoing strike campaign on alleged drug cartel boats. His top officials, including Secretary of State, a long-time Cuba hawk, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, are also expected to provide closed-door briefings for lawmakers in the House and Senate.
Hegseth is under scrutiny over the September 2 incident in which a second strike was authorised on a vessel after survivors were observed, resulting in additional casualties. The incident saw survivors of an initial boat attack, carried out by the US military, being killed in a second strike on the vessel. Hegseth has denied allegations, while Democrat lawmakers are calling for his resignation.
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