The United States military has executed another strike against a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea, in close proximity to Venezuela's coastline. CBS News reported, "The U.S. military attacked another boat in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela's coast on Thursday," noting that "survivors have been reported for the first time."
This operation, conducted by members of the U.S. Southern Command, marks the sixth known mission in the region within the last month and is the first where not all occupants perished. Information about the incident was shared by U.S. officials through American media outlets, as well as news agencies Reuters and EFE.
Authorities have not disclosed the number of individuals aboard the vessel, nor the exact count of the injured or survivors. Both Reuters and CBS News mentioned that the Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comments.
Since the commencement of these military offensives, at least 27 individuals have died in five previous strikes in waters near Venezuela.
Washington's Justification for the Pattern of Attacks
The Trump administration has defended these actions, claiming that the United States is engaged in a "non-international armed conflict" with narcoterrorist organizations based in Venezuela, which—according to the Republican administration—justifies the use of military force.
President Donald Trump has shared videos of past attacks on his Truth Social account, labeling the deceased as "drug traffickers" and asserting that the destroyed vessels were transporting illicit substances. However, this time, the President has not released any statements or videos about the recent strike, a departure from his usual practice of personally announcing or showcasing previous operations.
Both EFE and CBS agree that the incident was not officially announced and that the available information originates solely from anonymous U.S. officials. This lack of transparency has fueled uncertainty about the event.
The identities of the survivors have not been disclosed, nor whether they were rescued by U.S. forces or other vessels in the vicinity. Details of the confrontation and the fate of the attacked boat remain unknown.
CIA's Covert Operations in Venezuela
This latest attack coincides with President Trump's confirmation of authorizing the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, citing "narcotics control and migration management" as reasons.
During a White House conference, a journalist inquired, "Why did you authorize the CIA to enter Venezuela?" Trump responded, "I authorized it for two reasons. First, they've emptied their prisons into the United States. The other reason is drugs. We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela."
In Caracas, this announcement was perceived as a direct threat. President Nicolás Maduro accused Washington of attempting to overthrow him and warned of preparations to "declare a state of emergency in response to U.S. aggression."
In a public address, Maduro stated, "The U.S. government decides to send the CIA to Venezuela. No previous government, since the CIA's existence, has publicly declared sending the CIA to kill, overthrow, and destroy countries."
Military Escalation in the Caribbean
The diplomatic conflict unfolds alongside an unprecedented military buildup. Since August, the U.S. Southern Command has intensified its presence in the Caribbean with missile-guided destroyers, a nuclear submarine, F-35 aircraft, strategic B-52 bombers, and approximately 10,000 troops.
On Wednesday, two B-52 bombers from Louisiana flew about 240 kilometers north of the Venezuelan coast. A senior U.S. official described the maneuver as "a show of force."
Simultaneously, elite aviation units from the Army's Special Operations conducted training flights in the southern Caribbean Sea near oil and gas platforms, according to The Washington Post.
Rising Tensions and Cross-Accusations
The Caracas government accuses Washington of seeking to incite a regime change. Maduro compared the situation to the CIA's covert operations in Latin America during the 20th century: "In Venezuela, there are no CIA-organized coups, which remind us of the 30,000 disappeared during the coups in Argentina and Chile under Pinochet."
Meanwhile, the Trump administration maintains that the actions aim to dismantle drug trafficking networks linked to the Cartel of the Suns, which Washington associates with high-ranking Venezuelan military officials.
The U.S. military's deployment began shortly after the U.S. justice system increased the reward to $50 million for information leading to Maduro's capture.
Key Questions on U.S. Military Actions in the Caribbean
Why did the U.S. attack the vessel in the Caribbean?
The U.S. military targeted the vessel due to suspicions of drug trafficking activities linked to narcoterrorist organizations based in Venezuela.
How many attacks have been conducted by the U.S. in the region recently?
The recent strike marks the sixth known operation in the Caribbean region within the last month.
What is the response of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to these actions?
President Maduro has accused the U.S. of attempting to overthrow his government and has warned of declaring a state of emergency in response to perceived U.S. aggression.
What military resources has the U.S. deployed in the Caribbean?
The U.S. has increased its military presence with missile-guided destroyers, a nuclear submarine, F-35 aircraft, B-52 bombers, and around 10,000 troops in the region.