The United States military conducted another strike Wednesday against an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four “narco-terrorists,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced.
Hegseth said the ship was operated by a designated terrorist organization and was passing through a “known narco-trafficking route”. It is not clear which designated terrorist organization the Defense Secretary is referring to.
According to Hegseth, the attack was carried out in international waters and no US troops were injured in the operation.
“The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans,” the defense secretary said Wednesday evening.Post social platform
Hegseth shared a 22-second video of the military operation, which shows the boat being blown up and flames rising.
The US military, at the direction of President Trump, has carried out strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in both the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific since early September. According to the Trump administration, the US military has killed 61 people.
The most recent series of attacks, which have prompted criticism from Democratssome GOP legislators,happened on tuesday US forces kill 14 “narco-terrorists” in three strikes. According to Hegseth, one person survived.
The military operation comes as the US government steps up pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the administration has called an “illegitimate leader.”
the administration hasDeployed a massive US military presence It has been sending spy planes, bombers, marines and warships to the Caribbean in recent weeks. Last week, the Department of Defense (DOD)USS Gerald R. ordered ford And its strike group is to move towards the US Southern Command area of ​​responsibility.
Trump has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela and at least the US has done so10,000 soldiers Supporting anti-narcotics operations in the area.
On Thursday, DOD officials will give a classified briefing to lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee about strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill on Wednesday.
The White House on Wednesday evening provided a classified briefing on strikes against alleged drug-trafficking ships to a select group of senators, including only a few people from the Senate Armed Services Committee, a Senate source told The Hill’s affiliate network NewsNation.
Many Senate Democrats are upset at not being invited to the briefing, even though a committee did not request it, the source said.
