The US has struck another vessel off the coast of Venezuela, killing six people, President Donald Trump has said.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the vessel belonged to narcoterrorists and was trafficking narcotics. This incident marks the fifth strike of its kind by the Trump administration on boats accused of drug trafficking since September, with a reported total of 27 fatalities. However, the US has not provided detailed evidence about the identities of the vessels or those onboard.
The strikes have drawn criticism, with some lawyers alleging a breach of international law, while neighboring nations, including Colombia and Venezuela, have condemned the attacks.
Trump also mentioned in his post that intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known smuggling route.
He shared an aerial surveillance video indicating a missile strike on a small boat. Importantly, Trump did not disclose the nationality of the victims or the drug trafficking organization with which they were allegedly associated, but assured that no US military personnel were injured during the operation.
This military action follows a leaked memo to Congress indicating that the US administration perceives drug cartels as engaging in a non-international armed conflict with the US. The administration asserts that these strikes are a form of self-defense, despite legal experts questioning their legitimacy.
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