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As stated by American defense chief the Pentagon's top official, a US strike eliminated four people in an operation against a vessel suspected of carrying narcotics in international waters near Venezuela.

This action occurred shortly after American authorities informed lawmakers regarding the US had entered an armed confrontation with narco-trafficking organizations.

This marks no fewer than the fourth such extraordinary and controversial operation by US forces outside US territorial waters in recent weeks.

Details of the Strike

The defense secretary stated that the vessel was targeted as it was carrying large quantities of illegal drugs destined for America, which he described to public health.

“Our intelligence, without a doubt, confirmed that this vessel was trafficking narcotics, the people onboard were narco-terrorists, and they were operating on a known narco-trafficking transit route,” he declared in a social media post.

The defense secretary further asserted that the vessel had links to Designated Terrorist Organizations, a label introduced in a confidential memo sent to lawmakers.

Juridical and Political Context

US officials have informed Congress regarding its view that cartels are non-state armed actors and their actions in narcotics trafficking “constitute an armed attack” against the United States.

The memo was accompanied by a secret session for members of the Senate armed services committee, conducted recently.

Administration officials have sought to legitimize the strikes under Trump’s constitutional authority, permitting the use of military force for self-protection during confined conflicts.

Earlier Operations and International Reaction

Before the latest strike, US forces carried out attacks on three boats in Caribbean waters, which led to 17 deaths and causing global condemnation.

Hegseth emphasized that such operations “are ongoing” as long as “the attacks on the American people are over”.

Administrative Changes and Supervision

Officials has reportedly strengthened the Homeland Security Council to operate separately inside the administration, a shift unlike prior governments where it reported to the security chief.

The reorganization has influenced the coordination and execution of these military actions, as certain authorities being informed about strikes shortly prior to their execution.

Regardless of official assertions, legal experts point out that labeling trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations does not provide additional authority for using lethal force without concrete evidence connecting them with another state.

To date, the administration has not provided such evidence concerning the alleged infiltration by cartels into Venezuela's regime.