US carries out new strike against alleged drug vessel near Venezuela By Reuters

The United States carried out its fourth recent strike against a vessel allegedly carrying illegal drugs, resulting in four deaths, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who stated the attack occurred off the coast of Venezuela. President Trump has formally declared the U.S. is engaged in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels, providing a basis for these military actions, which Hegseth vowed would continue until attacks on Americans cease. Hegseth asserted, without presenting evidence, that the vessel was carrying drugs and its occupants were "narco-terrorists," a claim mirrored by Trump regarding the potential lethality of the alleged cargo. However, some former military lawyers suggest the legal basis for killing suspected traffickers at sea, rather than capturing them, is questionable under the law of war. Meanwhile, the U.S. is significantly increasing its military presence in the southern Caribbean, including warships and F-35 aircraft, while Venezuelan President Maduro continues to accuse the U.S. of seeking regime change. The Trump administration has offered little detail about previous strikes, even as it maintains a high reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest over alleged drug links.