7:15 am today

US carries out new strike against alleged drug vessel near Venezuela

7:15 am today
(FILES) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looks on before a luncheon with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Cabinet Room of the White House, in Washington, DC, on April 17, 2025. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared information on forthcoming US air strikes on Yemen in a private Signal chat group that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer, the New York Times reported on April 20.
AFP was not able to independently verify the Times' report, which detailed what would be the second time Hegseth has been accused of sharing sensitive military information on the commercial messaging app with unauthorized personnel. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP

The United States killed four people in a strike against a vessel allegedly carrying illegal drugs, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday, at least the fourth such attack in recent weeks.

US President Donald Trump has determined the United States is engaged in "a non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels.

Legal experts have questioned the legality of killing suspected drug traffickers at sea instead of apprehending them and their cargo.

In a post on X, Hegseth said the latest strike was carried out in international waters, just off the coast of Venezuela.

"These strikes will continue until the attacks on the American people are over!!!!," Hegseth said.

In a nearly 40-second video shared by Hegseth, a vessel can be seen moving through the water before a number of projectiles appear to hit the water, causing it to explode.

Hegseth said, without providing evidence, that the intelligence "without a doubt" confirmed that the vessel was carrying drugs and that the people on board were "narco-terrorists." He said the boat was carrying a "substantial" amount of drugs, without detailing the amount or type of the alleged drugs.

The Venezuelan communications ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

- Reuters

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