The Pentagon announced Friday that US forces had bombed another alleged drug-trafficking boat near Venezuela — the 10th known strike in President Trump’s military campaign off the coast of South America as he prepares to inform Congress of his plans for land assaults.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth said six men suspected of drug-running were killed and posted on X a video of the airstrike in the Carribean Sea.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that the U.S. military conducted its 10th strike on a vessel suspected of carrying drugs overnight, killing six people. AP“If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere, we will treat you like we treat Al-Qaeda. Day or NIGHT, we will map your networks, track your people, hunt you down, and kill you,” Hegseth tweeted.
The strike is believed to be the 10th since the campaignbegan on Sept. 2, with a death toll of at least 46 people.
Two of the strikes have been in the Pacific off the coast of Columbia — whose President, Gustavo Petro, has been dubbed an “illegal drug leader” by Trump.
In a 20-second black and white video of the strike that was posted to social media, a small boat can be seen apparently sitting motionless on the water. X/SecWar
A long, thin projectile can be seen descending on the boat, resulting in an explosion, according to the video. X/SecWar
The video ends before the explosion dies down enough for the remains of the boat to become visible again. X/SecWar
In a post to social media, Hegseth said that the vessel was operated by the Tren de Aragua gang and the strike occurred in the Caribbean. Will Oliver/UPI/ShutterstockVenezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, meanwhile, faces a $50 million US bounty for his arrested drug-related charges.
Trump, 79, told reporters Thursday that he and Hegseth would inform Congress of any plans for land-based assaults, though it’s unclear whether the administration will be seeking formal authorization.
“I don’t think we’re going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war. I think we’re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. OK? We’re going to kill them, you know, they’re going to be, like, dead, OK?” Trump said.
The president also said that China has been smuggling ingredients for fentanyl, which has killed nearly 330,000 Americans over the past five years, through Venezuela to bypass US and Mexican port controls.
The drug-smuggling vessels attacked by the US are also suspected of trafficking large amounts of cocaine.
