US military operation in the Caribbean raises tensions with Venezuela
The attack on a drug vessel in international waters rekindles the diplomatic conflict.
A U.S. military operation in the Caribbean left four people dead on Friday, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The attack took place in international waters off the coast of Venezuela and targeted a vessel suspected of transporting illegal drugs.
The official explained on the social network X that this was the fourth operation of this type in recent weeks, within the framework of what he called a "non-international armed conflict" against drug trafficking in the region.
According to Hegseth, the attack was directly ordered by President Donald Trump. “This morning I directed a lethal kinetic strike against a drug trafficking vessel affiliated with designated terrorist organizations,” he wrote. He added that all four occupants were killed instantly and that no U.S. troops were injured.
The operation took place while the vessel was sailing with a cargo of narcotics allegedly destined for the United States. Military intelligence has confirmed that this was a maritime route commonly used for drug trafficking.
The video released alongside the message shows a speedboat in open water, followed by an explosion that engulfs it in smoke and fire. The vessel remains afloat, although consumed by flames. The Pentagon did not provide details on the identities of the deceased or the quantity of drugs seized.
The attack came just hours after Trump declared drug cartels "unlawful combatants" and announced that the United States is engaged in armed conflict against these organizations, according to a memo released by the Associated Press.
This operation follows three others carried out in recent weeks, resulting in a total of 21 deaths. In at least three cases, the vessels involved came from Venezuela, according to Department of Defense sources.
From Caracas, Nicolás Maduro's government rejected the accusations and called the US military deployment a "threat." In response, it launched military exercises and mobilized reservists. It also denounced an illegal air raid by US fighter jets.
Legal experts cited by AFP questioned the legality of the use of military force outside US borders, warning that it could violate international law.
Trump, for his part, assured that maritime drug trafficking has decreased after the attacks, and that they will now focus on controlling entry by land.
The regional context also adds to the tension. In recent weeks, Venezuela has denounced military maneuvers near its maritime borders, describing them as provocations. Nicolás Maduro's government maintains that these actions are part of a strategy of international pressure and has responded with military exercises and troop deployments in coastal areas.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations and international law experts have begun to analyze the legal scope of these types of operations. Some point out that the use of lethal force outside U.S. territory, without a multilateral mandate or express authorization from Congress, could generate legal controversies. The concept of a "non-international armed conflict" is considered ambiguous by several specialists.
Meanwhile, international media outlets such as AFP, AP, and Reuters have sought to obtain more details about the US military operation in the Caribbean, but the Pentagon has referred to Hegseth's social media post. No official images of the deceased or information about the attacked vessel have been released, beyond the video of the moment of the explosion.
The operation also has political implications. The Trump administration has reinforced its rhetoric against drug trafficking in Latin America, linking governments like Venezuela's to criminal networks. In this context, the president declared that drug cartels will be treated as "unlawful combatants," which authorizes the use of military force without the need for prior judicial proceedings.
In the Caribbean, the U.S. Navy presence has remained stable, with at least eight warships and more than 5,000 personnel deployed. According to sources from the Department of Defense, these operations seek to disrupt maritime routes used by organizations linked to drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, Caracas insists that these actions violate Venezuelan sovereignty and could escalate into a larger conflict. The Chavista government has warned that it will respond "firmly" to any new incursions and has called on international organizations to denounce what it considers a unilateral aggression.
In this context, the US military operation in the Caribbean is part of a complex dynamic, intersecting geopolitical interests, security strategies, and diplomatic disputes. The lack of comprehensive official information leaves several questions about the true scope of the operation and its consequences for the region.
