UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just confirmed a lethal airstrike that killed three unidentified “narcoterrorists” in the Caribbean Sea, marking his third such operation in less than a month. In a post on Truth Social late Friday night, Trump revealed he ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to target a vessel engaged in narcotrafficking, claiming it was headed to “poison Americans.”
The strike occurred in international waters as part of a broader offensive against drug trafficking networks. Trump’s announcement comes just days after a similar strike that also resulted in three fatalities, and another earlier this month that killed eleven. “On my Orders, the Secretary of War ordered a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization,” Trump stated.
The president’s post emphasized the need for action, declaring, “STOP SELLING FENTANYL, NARCOTICS, AND ILLEGAL DRUGS IN AMERICA!” He attached a video purporting to show the strike, featuring a boat engulfed in flames, although earlier footage from September was later confirmed as AI-generated. There has been no evidence provided to verify the authenticity of the latest video.
Authorities confirmed that intelligence suggested the vessel was trafficking illicit narcotics. However, details regarding the identities of the deceased, their nationalities, or the specifics of the cargo remain undisclosed. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for clarification.
When pressed for proof regarding the earlier strike, Trump insisted, “We have proof. All you have to do is look at the cargo that was spattered all over the ocean, big bags of cocaine and fentanyl.” This aggressive stance has raised questions concerning the legality of such strikes in international waters. Hegseth, rebranded as Secretary of War, asserted that the U.S. possesses “absolute and complete authority” to neutralize suspected drug smugglers.
Legal experts have voiced serious concerns about the administration’s approach. Retired Lt. Col. Rachel E. VanLandingham described the strikes as “deeply troubling,” citing the lack of transparency when lethal force is employed in the name of American security. Senator Jack Reed, the Senate Armed Services Committee’s ranking member, emphasized that there is no evidence supporting claims of self-defense during these operations, which could violate both domestic and international law.
In a controversial display of defiance, Vice President JD Vance dismissed critics, joking about the apparent decrease in drug boats entering U.S. waters. “I said, ‘I know why!’ I would stop too,” he laughed, further fueling the debate surrounding the administration’s military actions.
As this story develops, public attention remains focused on the implications of these strikes and the potential ramifications for U.S. foreign policy and international law. The White House has not yet provided additional details on future operations or the ongoing strategy against narcotrafficking networks.
Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent situation.