A United States strike on a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean has left six people dead, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced.
Hegseth said on X that the attack targeted what he described as narco-terrorists operating a vessel believed to be linked to the Tren de Aragua gang.
He added that this was the first night operation under the campaign launched in September, confirming that the strike took place overnight.
Although the defense secretary did not provide direct evidence of what the ship was carrying, he released a 20-second video showing the vessel in the water before it was hit by at least one projectile and exploded.
US President Donald Trump said he does not plan to seek authorization from Congress for further attacks on drug traffickers, stressing that the United States would continue to target those bringing narcotics into the country, both at sea and on land.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino warned that any covert operations by the US Central Intelligence Agency against Venezuela would fail. Padrino stated that his country is aware of CIA activities on its soil and that any secret operations would be thwarted. He oversaw military exercises along Venezuela’s coastline in response to the recent deployment of a US naval fleet in Caribbean waters.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro also issued an appeal in English to Washington, urging an end to what he called a mad war, and instead called for eternal peace. His comments came during a meeting with loyal trade unions amid rising tensions between Caracas and Washington.
In a related development, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the US Navy destroyer USS Gravely will dock at Port of Spain between 26 and 30 October. The ship, equipped with guided missiles, will take part in joint military drills with the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force as part of Washington’s ongoing regional campaign against alleged drug traffickers.
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