Summary
President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have ordered multiple military strikes on boats near Venezuela, targeting suspected drug trafficking operations. These actions have raised concerns about their legality, as several strikes have resulted in dozens of deaths. The U.S. government claims the strikes are part of a larger strategy against Venezuela and its leader, Nicolás Maduro.
Key Facts
- The White House defended U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats near Venezuela.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly ordered a follow-up strike to kill survivors, but he denied this report.
- These actions are part of a broader U.S. campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
- The first strike, announced on Sept. 2, reportedly killed 11 people linked to a Venezuelan cartel.
- A second strike on Sept. 15 reportedly killed three individuals.
- Additional strikes on Sept. 19, Oct. 3, and Oct. 14 resulted in the deaths of three, four, and six people, respectively.
- A submarine was attacked on Oct. 16, with two deaths reported.
- Concerns about the legality of these military actions have been raised by experts and lawmakers.
