President Donald Trump said the U.S. military carried out a second strike on a Venezuelan boat he alleged was carrying narcotics “headed to the United States,” adding that three “male terrorists” were killed and no U.S. forces were harmed. He posted a video of a vessel erupting in flames and declared to traffickers: “WE ARE HUNTING YOU!”

What The White House Says

Announcing the operation, Trump said the strike occurred in international waters and insisted, “we have proof,” claiming “big bags of cocaine and fentanyl” were left “all over the place,” and that there is “recorded evidence.” He framed the target as “narcoterrorists” and argued the action protects U.S. national security, echoing language used after an earlier strike that killed 11. Defense leaders amplified the message, with the Pentagon chief saying “we will stop at nothing to defend our homeland,” vowing to “track them, kill them, and dismantle their networks.”

Legal Backlash And Evidence Questions

Senior Democrats called the operations an “outrageous violation of the law,” and one senator said he is drafting a measure to reclaim Congress’s war powers as the administration leans on terrorism designations. Skeptics across parties have pressed for proof the vessels carried drugs and posed an imminent threat, with one Republican senator warning against “glorify[ing] killing someone without a trial.” The administration has offered few specifics beyond the video and assertions that cargo and recordings substantiate its case.

Regional Military Buildup And Venezuelan Response

The strike comes amid a U.S. force buildup in the southern Caribbean, where advanced fighter jets have arrived and multiple U.S. warships and support assets are operating. Trump has suggested similar actions could occur against land-based smugglers as well, signaling a sustained campaign if needed. Caracas officials accused Washington of deliberate provocation, while Venezuela’s leadership has warned it will defend against any aggression.