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By Hollie Silverman
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President Donald Trump posted a video on Truth Social on Tuesday showing what appears to be a U.S. military strike on a vessel off the coast of Venezuela.
The president said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth "ordered a lethal kinetic strike" on a vessel that was associated with narcotrafficking and was part of a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO).
The strike killed six people, according to the post from Trump.
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"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known DTO route," Trump wrote, adding, "The strike was conducted in International Waters, and six male narcoterrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike. No U.S. Forces were harmed."
The latest strike comes amid increased United States-Venezuela tensions and public claims by Trump of targeting fentanyl flows and attacking organizations linked to narcoterrorism.
Why It Matters
The U.S. military has conducted multiple strikes in the Caribbean in recent weeks, which the Trump administration claims are operations to target drug trafficking vessels off the coast of Venezuela. These strikes have reportedly caused numerous deaths.
The Trump administration’s willingness to deploy military force against suspected drug traffickers in international waters underscores a more aggressive U.S. counternarcotics policy in the Western Hemisphere.
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What To Know
Trump announced Tuesday that U.S. forces had executed what he described as a "lethal kinetic strike" in international waters within the U.S. Southern Command's jurisdiction—covering areas including the Caribbean Sea and northern South America.
The strike came less than a week after Senate Republicans voted to block a measure that would have prevented U.S. strikes on boats the Trump administration says are transporting narcotics off the coast of Venezuela.
In his statement, Trump said he had authorized Hegseth to continue strikes on boats believed to be affiliated with DTOs and drug trafficking.
A prior operation by U.S. forces targeted another boat in the region, also described as carrying illegal drugs, resulting in 11 deaths.
The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, has denounced previous strikes as an act of aggression, vowing to defend Venezuelan sovereignty.
Tensions have increased as the U.S. doubled its reward for Maduro’s capture to $50 million and expanded naval deployments near the Caribbean.
Venezuela responded by mobilizing coastal defenses and sending fighter jets to approach a U.S. Navy ship, a demonstration it called a "show of force." Maduro accused the U.S. of “blackmail” and “threats of bombs, death, and blackmail,” and his government claimed recent U.S. actions—including the seizure of a Venezuelan fishing vessel—were designed to provoke confrontation.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, Tuesday on Truth Social: "Under my Standing Authorities as Commander-in-Chief, this morning, the Secretary of War, ordered a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) conducting narcotrafficking in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility — just off the Coast of Venezuela. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known DTO route. The strike was conducted in International Waters, and six male narcoterrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike. No U.S. Forces were harmed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!!!!"
Texas Representative Joaquin Castro wrote on X in September: "The Trump admin carried out a 2nd deadly strike against a Venezuelan boat, killing three people. They claimed those onboard were drug traffickers. Instead of providing evidence, they are asking the world to take their word for it. Ignoring the rule of law and refusing to provide evidence or due process makes this an execution. That's not the American way."
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said at a press conference in September: "The communications with the government of the U.S. are thrown away by them, with their threats of bombs, death, and blackmail."
What Happens Next
The Pentagon has not yet publicly provided evidence relating to the intelligence that led to the strike or further details regarding its rules of engagement.
The Trump administration has maintained its position on military strikes targeting drug-trafficking organizations designated as terrorist entities.
Venezuelan officials have stated they will continue to mobilize forces and consider further U.S. activity in the region as acts of aggression, escalating the risk of direct confrontation.
Update 10/14/25, 3:12 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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