The United States has confirmed that four people were killed in a recent military strike on a vessel in the Caribbean, marking the 20th such attack carried out by the Trump administration in international waters. The escalation comes amid growing concerns that senior US officials are actively discussing potential military operations in Venezuela, further heightening regional tensions across Latin America.

US Southern Command Confirms Deadly Strike Authorized by Defense Secretary

In a statement published Friday on X, the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said that Monday’s operation—which destroyed a boat allegedly “trafficking narcotics”—was personally authorized by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. While the military asserted that the targeted vessel was involved in drug trafficking, no evidence was provided to support the claim.

Accompanying the announcement was an aerial video showing the boat moving through international waters before being struck and engulfed in flames.

Legal experts and human rights organizations have condemned the attacks as extrajudicial executions, warning that lethal military force cannot be justified even when individuals are suspected of drug smuggling.

20 Strikes, 80 Deaths: A Deadly New Era of US Maritime Operations

Since early 2025, the Trump administration has ordered at least 20 lethal strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in an estimated 80 deaths. Critics argue that these strikes violate international law and set a dangerous precedent for US military operations outside traditional combat zones.

The administration has defended the attacks as part of a sweeping campaign against transnational crime, though critics insist that the operations lack transparency, due process, or congressional authorization.

White House Reportedly Discussing Military Options in Venezuela

According to a Reuters report citing senior officials, high-level meetings were held at the White House this week to discuss potential military action against Venezuela. These meetings took place as the US continues to dramatically expand its military footprint throughout the region.

The buildup includes the deployment of:

• F-35 fighter jets
• Multiple US Navy warships
• A nuclear-powered submarine
• Approximately 12,000 US sailors and Marines

Earlier this week, the Pentagon confirmed that the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, one of the largest and most advanced naval formations in the world, had arrived in the Caribbean carrying thousands of personnel and dozens of tactical aircraft.

Secretary Hegseth has officially labeled the regional expansion “Operation Southern Spear.”

Trump Indicates He May Ignore Congressional Authorization

Under the US Constitution, Congress must authorize acts of war. However, President Donald Trump has suggested he could sidestep that requirement, stating he does not need to “necessarily ask for a declaration of war” to continue targeting individuals he claims are tied to drug trafficking.

This stance has raised alarm among lawmakers, legal scholars, and international observers who warn of a dangerous erosion of constitutional checks and balances.

US Public Opposes Escalation in Latin America

According to a newly released Reuters/Ipsos poll, the American public overwhelmingly opposes the current escalation:

• Only 29% support the extrajudicial killings of suspected traffickers
• Just 21% support military intervention in Venezuela

The data suggests broad domestic resistance to expanding US military action in Latin America.

Latin American Leaders Warn US Buildup Threatens 2014 ‘Zone of Peace’ Agreement

Governments across Central and South America have condemned the US strikes, arguing that the military buildup violates a 2014 “Zone of Peace” declaration signed by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)—a bloc of 33 nations that explicitly excludes the United States.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla denounced the deployment as “an act of provocation,” warning it undermines regional stability.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro have also criticised Washington’s actions, with Petro accusing the US of using drug enforcement as a cover for geopolitical intervention.

Maduro Warns of ‘Massive Deployment’ in Case of US Attack

Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, speaking in a national address, said the Trump administration was “fabricating a new eternal war” in Latin America. He added that Venezuela is preparing a “massive deployment” of its armed forces to defend against any potential US assault.

Maduro said US sanctions have already devastated the Venezuelan economy and warned that Washington’s growing military activity in nearby waters represents a “direct threat” to national sovereignty.

A Region on Edge as Tensions Intensify

As the US increases its military presence and continues its campaign of maritime strikes, Latin America faces one of its most volatile geopolitical climates in decades. With reports of White House discussions on military action in Venezuela, regional leaders fear a potential conflict could ignite, undermining years of diplomatic efforts to maintain peace and stability across the hemisphere.