CARACAS, VENEZUELA – The United States military seized survivors following a targeted strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean on Thursday, marking the first such incident since President Trump intensified military actions in the region last month. The operation was confirmed by a defense official who requested anonymity.
This recent strike is believed to be the sixth in Venezuelan waters since early September, but it is the first to produce survivors. These individuals were taken aboard a U.S. Navy vessel, though their future remains uncertain. It is unclear whether they will be treated as prisoners of war or face criminal charges.
Footage from a previous strike earlier this week has been released by the Department of Defense, showcasing the ongoing military efforts in the area. This series of strikes has resulted in at least 28 fatalities, according to officials.
President Trump has defended these actions by stating that the United States is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, invoking the same legal framework used during the Bush Administration’s war on terror post-9/11. This allows for the capture and detention of combatants and the use of lethal force against cartel leadership.
The White House has yet to comment on the latest strike, which was initially reported by Reuters late Thursday. The operations have sparked concern among both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, with some GOP members expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of detailed information regarding the conduct of these strikes.
A classified briefing earlier this month for the Senate Armed Services Committee did not include representatives from intelligence agencies or the military command overseeing South and Central America. This omission has added to the unease on Capitol Hill.
Efforts to gather more information continue as the implications of these military actions unfold.