At a Glance
- 5 boats were struck over two days, killing 8 people while others jumped overboard.
- The attacks were carried out by U.S. Southern Command; the location remains undisclosed.
- Total known strikes now 35, with at least 115 deaths since early September.
Why it matters: These strikes are part of an escalating U.S. campaign against drug cartels and Venezuelan President Maduro.
U.S. Southern Command announced on Wednesday that it struck five drug-smuggling boats over two days, killing a total of 8 people while others jumped overboard and may have survived. The attacks were carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the command did not disclose the exact location. Video released by the command shows three boats traveling in close formation, an unusual convoy that the military said had transferred narcotics between vessels before the strikes.
- Three people were killed on the first boat.
- The other two boats were hit after their crews jumped overboard.
- The U.S. Coast Guard was notified immediately for search and rescue.
Context and Controversy
Earlier in September, a U.S. strike that killed survivors of a disabled boat sparked debate over legality. Democratic lawmakers and legal experts said the military committed a crime, while President Trump and some Republican lawmakers said the follow-up strike was legal.
Broader Campaign
The latest strikes bring the total number of known boat strikes to 35 and the number of people killed to at least 115 since early September, according to figures announced by the Trump administration. President Trump has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and has declared that the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels. The campaign also includes increased military presence in the region and a CIA drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels, marking the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since the U.S. began strikes in September.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Strikes | 35 |
| Total Killed | 115 |
Key Takeaways
- Five boats were struck, killing 8 people.
- Total strikes now 35 with 115 deaths since September.
- The campaign is part of a broader U.S. effort against drug cartels and Venezuela.
These actions underscore the U.S. military’s intensified effort to curb drug trafficking, while raising questions about the legality of follow-up strikes.
