The United States carried out a fresh military strike in the Caribbean Sea on Saturday, killing at least three alleged “narco-terrorists” aboard a vessel believed to be involved in drug trafficking, according to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

🚢 Strike Followed President Trump’s Orders

The operation was conducted under the direct orders of President Donald Trump, Hegseth said in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter). He stated that intelligence confirmed the vessel’s role in illegal narcotics smuggling and that the strike took place in international waters. All three men on board were killed during the operation.

The attack marks the latest in an intensifying US-led campaign in the region, which has seen a sharp rise in military activity and aerial surveillance. Saturday’s strike comes on the heels of another incident earlier in the week in which four men were killed, and a devastating series of bombings on Monday that left 14 dead.

Since early September, when the US first launched its crackdown on alleged drug-running operations near Venezuela and Colombia, the campaign has resulted in at least 62 deaths, including citizens from both South American nations. A total of 14 vessels and one semi-submersible craft have been destroyed, according to US officials.

❗ Human Rights Concerns Mount

The Trump administration maintains that the attacks are aimed at curtailing international drug smuggling, but critics say the US has failed to justify the strikes with transparent evidence. Concerns have been raised over the legality of using lethal force on alleged drug traffickers in peacetime zones without due process.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk strongly condemned the operations on Friday, calling them “unacceptable” and urging Washington to immediately halt the attacks.

“The US must take all necessary steps to prevent extrajudicial killings and ensure that any individuals suspected of criminal conduct are dealt with under international legal frameworks,” Türk said.

⚓ Rising Tensions in the Caribbean and Latin America

These escalations occur amid a vast US military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of guided-missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear-powered submarine, and thousands of military personnel. The highly advanced USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group is also en route to the region.

In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused Washington of violating the country’s sovereignty and using the drug war as a pretext for regime change—an allegation President Trump has dismissed. Venezuela has reinforced its borders, deploying tens of thousands of troops and enhancing coastal defenses.

To further pressure Maduro, the US government recently doubled its bounty on the Venezuelan leader, offering $50 million for information leading to his arrest on charges related to drug trafficking and organized crime. Trump has also confirmed that the CIA has been authorized to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela.

In a continuing display of global geopolitical friction, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the US operation on Saturday, criticizing what it described as “excessive military force” and reaffirming support for Venezuela’s government.

“These strikes clearly violate both US domestic law and international legal standards,” Russian spokesperson Maria Zakharova wrote. “Russia stands firmly behind Venezuela in defense of its sovereignty.”

🧭 What Comes Next?

As the US continues its controversial campaign in one of the world’s most heavily contested maritime zones, the international community has grown increasingly divided over the legality and moral justification of the strikes.

With no signs of de-escalation, tensions are likely to intensify, raising questions about how far the US is willing to go—and how Venezuela, Colombia, and their allies may choose to respond.