US Conducts Lethal Strike on Venezuelan Drug Boat in Caribbean

President Donald Trump confirmed that U.S. military forces conducted a lethal strike against a Venezuelan boat in the southern Caribbean, killing 11 members of the Tren de Aragua narcoterrorist gang. The strike, which occurred in international waters, was shared by Trump on social media along with a video showing the boat engulfed in flames, as part of an intensified campaign to stem drug trafficking in the region. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that military operations against drug cartels in Latin America will continue, warning traffickers they face severe consequences. However, the legality of the strike has been questioned, with experts noting that international maritime law generally favors non-lethal measures and that only Congress can declare war under U.S. law. Critics have described the military action as a form of "gunboat diplomacy" reminiscent of early 20th-century interventions, raising concerns about escalating U.S. belligerence in the region. Despite these concerns, regional leaders like Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister have praised the strike, calling for harsh measures against traffickers.