The US military conducted another raid on a suspected drug-trafficking ship on Tuesday, a Pentagon official confirmed to CBS News. The attack targeted a ship in the Caribbean Sea, killing four people.
Since September, US forces have destroyed at least 21 ships in 20 attacks in international waters, killing at least 80 people. Trump administration says operations – details of which are scarce — They are part of an offensive against drugs.
The Pentagon has not released any further information about the latest strike. Previously, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that there had been attacks targeting “narco-terrorists”. on known drug-trafficking routes, although U.S. officials have not provided concrete evidence that the vessels were smuggling drugs or that they posed a threat to the United States.
Some experts say that the strikes have been carried out in the Pacific and the Caribbean. can tear international law even if they target known drug traffickers. UN human rights chief Volker Türk this week called for an investigation into the legality of the strikes, warning of “strong indications” of “extrajudicial killing”.
The latest strike comes amid a growing US military presence in the region. This week, the US Department of Defense confirmed that the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford and other warships have entered the Southern Command’s area of responsibility, including the Caribbean. The USS Ford is the largest aircraft carrier in the world, and the most advanced in the US Navy.
Senior military officers on Wednesday presented updated options to President Trump for potential operations in Venezuela, including ground strikes, according to multiple sources familiar with the White House meetings. No final decision has been made, however, two of the sources told CBS News.
Meanwhile, Venezuela announced it on Tuesday launching a massive military exercise across the country, 200,000 forces are said to have participated.
Many people both inside Venezuela, including President Nicolas Maduro himself, and observers outside the country believe that this is an increase in US military pressure. It aims to oust Maduro from office.
asked In a recent interview with “60 Minutes” if Maduro’s “days were numbered,” Mr. Trump replied, “I would say yes. I think so, yes.”
Mr. Trump has repeatedly accused Maduro of being an accomplice of armed criminal gangs that smuggle drugs — accusations that the Venezuelan leader has rejected.
Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday ordered his country to stop sharing intelligence with the US. he said the directive would “remain in effect as long as missile attacks against shipping in the Caribbean continue.”