Table of Contents
- Moment of Strike
- Infrared Footage
- Hunting Narco-terrorists
- International Response
- Military Buildup
- Potential Conflict
- FAQ
This is the moment a US military drone annihilates a suspected drug smuggling boat in the dead of night.
The fiery explosion illuminated the Caribbean Sea as three alleged “narcoterrorists” were killed instantly.
A US military drone destroyed a suspected drug smuggling boat, resulting in the deaths of three alleged 'narcoterrorists'Credit: X / @SecWar
The strike was the 15th operation since September, targeting drug cartels classified as terrorist organizationsCredit: X / @SecWar
Unclassified infrared footage, shared by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on X, depicts the vessel in a missile’s sights before it is struck and erupts into flames.
Debris was observed scattering across the waves before sinking below the surface.
Hegseth confirmed that the strike was executed “at the direction of President Trump,” marking the 15th such operation since September in the administration’s campaign against drug cartels, now regarded as terrorist organizations “just like Al-Qaeda.”
He stated: “Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on another narco-trafficking vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) in the Caribbean.
“Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the strike, which took place in international waters.
“All three terrorists were killed, and no US forces were harmed.”
Hegseth emphasized: “These narco-terrorists are bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans at home — and they will not succeed.
“We will continue to track them, map them, hunt them, and eliminate them.”
The attack occurs amidst increasing international concern.
On Friday, UN rights chief Volker Türk urged the US to cease the bombings, warning that “more than 60 individuals have been killed” since early September “in situations that lack justification under international law.”
Accusing the US of conducting extrajudicial killings, Türk stated: “These attacks and their rising human cost are unacceptable.”
Trump has consistently defended the strikes, labeling them a “necessary escalation” to reduce the flow of narcotics into the United States.
The recent assault also coincides with US warships carrying Marines edging dangerously close to Venezuela, raising fears that the anti-cartel campaign could soon escalate into open conflict with dictator Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
These ships, carrying 1,600 Marines, are patrolling just 124 miles from Venezuela, alongside two destroyers.
The alarming footage was shared by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (L) of President Donald TrumpCredit: AP
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro claims to have millions of troops ready to defend against American forcesCredit: AFP via Getty Images
The troops have been conducting live-fire drills as a demonstration of strength that has unsettled Caracas.
Trump has been in the Caribbean for weeks, with officials indicating that the military buildup could reach a critical point “in days or even hours.”
Meanwhile, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is joining the operation – bringing its 90 warplanes and 5,000 sailors into the region.
With this, nearly 14 percent of America’s naval power will be stationed in the area.
The Pentagon insists that the mission targets “illicit actors and activities that threaten US safety and prosperity.”
However, speculation is growing that Venezuelan military installations could be next on the target list.
Maduro, accused by Washington of collaborating with cartels, has reportedly sought assistance from Vladimir Putin for weapons and defense systems, and has even reached out to China and Iran for support.
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