The U.S. military confirmed it conducted a strike on a vessel off Venezuela’s coast, killing four individuals described by U.S. officials as ‘narco-terrorists’ in the government’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated he had full legal authorization under expanded counterdrug powers and the cartel-as-terrorist designation, while President Trump later announced a separate subsequent strike.

Venezuela condemned the action as a breach of sovereignty, and Russia voiced concern about escalating U.S. military presence in the Caribbean Sea.