US Conducts Fourth Deadly Strike on Drug Vessels Off Venezuela Amid Armed Conflict

President Donald Trump has confirmed the United States conducted a fourth lethal strike on a drug-smuggling vessel off the coast of Venezuela as part of a declared "armed conflict" with Latin American cartels designated as terrorist organizations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the strike, stating the boat was confirmed to be trafficking narcotics and that four narcotics traffickers were killed, emphasizing that such strikes will continue until the threat to the American people ends. The administration justifies these military actions as necessary to combat the flow of drugs into the U.S., with Trump asserting his constitutional authority to act against these threats without additional Congressional approval. The strikes have drawn criticism from some lawmakers and human rights groups who question their legality and the potential for extrajudicial killings. Russia condemned the attack, warning of regional escalation and reaffirming support for Venezuela's leadership. The White House and military have provided limited transparency about the operations and assets involved in these actions, signaling a shift from previous practices.