The US Southern Command revealed a military strike against a suspicious vessel linked to a terrorist network in international waters of the Pacific Ocean, killing two people. No US soldiers were injured. This was part of Operation "Southern Spear," aimed at cutting drug trafficking routes, but has drawn criticism from Congress and human rights organizations.
The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced via platform X that on Monday, 29 December, the joint task force "Southern Spear" carried out an armed attack on a vessel in international waters operated by a group identified as a terrorist organization, under orders from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
This operation resulted in two men aboard the vessel being killed, with no US military personnel injured. It is part of the "Operation Southern Spear" campaign during the Donald Trump administration, targeting transnational drug trafficking networks.
So far, at least 107 deaths have resulted from attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels. The US government classifies these deceased as "unlawful combatants," allowing the military to use lethal force without judicial oversight under secret Department of Justice rules. This has raised concerns among human rights groups and some members of Congress.
The latest attack occurred just days after President Donald Trump stated that the US had destroyed "large establishments" at a port area in Venezuela, which he claimed were drug loading points, adding briefly that the area "no longer exists."
Additionally, sources reported that the CIA used drones to strike facilities at a Venezuelan coastal port earlier this month. This marked the first publicly known direct attack inside Venezuelan territory, alongside the deployment of warships blockading sanctioned oil tankers.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the US military presence in Caribbean waters as "psychological terrorism," while Venezuela’s National Assembly quickly approved new legislation imposing up to 20 years in prison for anyone supporting "piracy" or "blockades" in response to Trump’s measures.
As tensions rise, Trump declined to answer questions about his ultimate goal in Venezuela but reiterated his warning that it would be "smarter" if Maduro stepped down before the situation escalates further.
/sourceCNN