U.S. strikes again at vessel suspected of drug trafficking in international waters, resulting in three deaths
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, officially confirmed that American military forces carried out another operation targeting a vessel believed to be involved in illegal drug transportation in the Caribbean’s international waters.
According to him, this action is part of a broader campaign against drug cartels, ongoing for several months and increasingly straining relations between the U.S.
and Venezuela, while also affecting regional stability.
Trump emphasized that the order was issued based on intelligence data regarding the vessel’s activities, which, as claimed, traveled along a known drug trafficking route and posed a threat to U.S.
interests.
Although the exact timing of the strike wasn’t specified, Trump stated that the operation was concluded and that three individuals onboard lost their lives.
This marks the third such attack within the framework of U.S.
efforts against vessels associated with the Venezuelan drug organization Tren de Aragua, which Washington designates as a terrorist group.
Official reports indicate that a total of 17 people have died during the three operations.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s government claims that no members of the cartel were on the vessel attacked on September 2, suggesting only civilians were present.
These actions have received criticism from international and human rights organizations, who see them as violations of international law and condemn their extrajudicial nature.
Legal experts highlight that the U.S.
Congress did not declare war on Venezuela, making the use of force without Congressional approval a legally ambiguous issue.
Human Rights Watch labeled the strikes as unlawful extrajudicial killings, warning that such actions violate international human rights commitments.
Despite arguments about legality, the U.S.
administration asserts that its goal is to stop the flow of drugs into the country, justifying the strikes.
Operations were carried out without arresting or detaining the crew, raising further questions about legality and moral justification.
These developments provoke a debate on whether such actions are necessary or merely a tool for regional influence, especially given the broader geopolitical implications involving the escalation of tensions with Venezuela and instability in Latin America.