U.S. Strike Near Venezuela Kills Four, Sparking Legal Debate

The U.S. military killed four men on a boat in international waters near Venezuela on Friday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced. He accused the victims of being involved in narcotics trafficking, though no evidence was provided. This marked the fourth such U.S. strike in the Caribbean Sea since early September, with the Trump administration claiming the targets were tied to drug cartels considered terrorist groups.

Source The New York Times

The legality of the strikes has been sharply debated, as international law generally prohibits killing civilians or suspects not actively engaged in combat. Trump administration officials argued the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, granting legal grounds for lethal action, but many experts dispute this interpretation. Critics warn such actions risk expanding presidential war powers without congressional approval.

The strikes highlight the Trump administration’s aggressive use of military force against Latin American drug groups, with speculation about possible future operations inside Venezuela. So far, the four attacks have killed 21 people. The campaign comes amid heightened U.S.-Venezuelan tensions, as Washington continues to reject Nicolás Maduro’s presidency as illegitimate while doubling a reward for his capture.