The United States military reported that eight people were killed in fresh strikes on three vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean, a development announced days after US forces seized a Venezuelan oil tanker amid a growing US military presence in the region.
Details Of The Operation
In a social media post, US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said 'lethal kinetic strikes' struck three vessels in international waters on Monday at the direction of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. SOUTHCOM said eight people were killed in total: 'three in the first vessel, two in the second and three in the third.' The command alleged those killed were linked to drug trafficking but provided no public evidence to support that claim.
Controversy And Legal Concerns
Critics and international law experts say the strikes are part of a pattern of lethal US actions at sea. Since September, at least 90 people have reportedly died in similar operations targeting dozens of vessels in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea near Venezuela; human rights lawyers and legal scholars have warned some of these actions could amount to extrajudicial killings if due process and clear legal authority are lacking.
US lawmakers have pressed Secretary Hegseth on his role in the operations, including questions about an alleged second strike in September that targeted a boat carrying two survivors who were clinging to debris after an initial attack. Pentagon officials have offered limited public detail about the legal basis or rules of engagement for these strikes.
Regional Buildup And Diplomatic Fallout
The Pentagon has also deployed warships, a submarine, drones and fighter jets to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, citing efforts to disrupt drug smuggling. Venezuela has condemned the strikes and the US military buildup, accusing external powers of seeking to seize the country's oil and gas resources. Those comments came before US forces seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast last week. President Donald Trump was quoted saying he 'assumed we're going to keep the oil.'
Trinidad and Tobago announced it had authorised US military aircraft to use its airports in the coming weeks for logistical purposes, including supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations. The Caribbean nation — located about 12 km (7.4 miles) from Venezuela at its closest point — has publicly supported the logistical cooperation, while Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro said Caracas would halt gas supplies to Trinidad and Tobago in response, according to state media.
What To Watch
Observers will be watching for further official details from SOUTHCOM and the Pentagon about the legal justification for the strikes, any independent investigations into civilian harm, and diplomatic repercussions across the region as tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to escalate.
