The U.S. allegedly carried out its first night strike of a regional counter-drug campaign in the Caribbean, killing six suspected "narco-terrorists" on a vessel linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that an alleged U.S. strike in the Caribbean targeted a suspected drug vessel operated by the Tren de Aragua gang, resulting in six deaths. In a post on X, he shared a roughly 20-second video appearing to show a boat at sea being struck by at least one projectile before exploding. No independent evidence of what the vessel carried has been provided.
Hegseth said the operation was allegedly the first conducted at night since the counter-drug campaign began in September. The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s statement on Thursday that his administration would brief Congress on operations against drug cartels. Trump said he does not need a declaration of “war” to act and hinted that land-based operations could follow.
The U.S. military has increased its presence across the Caribbean, deploying guided-missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear-powered submarine and thousands of troops. Including the latest alleged strike, the United States has carried out 10 operations against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, reportedly killing nearly 40 people. The Pentagon has released little detail but confirmed that some incidents occurred near Venezuela.
The actions have raised legal concerns, with some experts and Democratic lawmakers questioning whether they align with international law. Last week, Reuters reported that two alleged traffickers who survived a U.S. military strike in the Caribbean were rescued by a U.S. Navy ship and later repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused Washington of attempting to remove him from power. In August, the U.S. doubled its reward to $50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, alleging ties to drug trafficking and criminal networks, which he denies.
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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 May, covering the latest developments you need to know....
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United Nations (UN) added Israel and Russia to a blacklist of parties suspected of committing conflict-related sexual violence on Friday (29 May). The move prompted Israel to announce it would sever ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
A centuries-old floral tradition is being prepared in the English village of Castleton, where the Garland King will lead a ceremonial procession through the Peak District wearing a large flower-covered structure weighing up to 40 kilograms.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) says ongoing conflict, funding pressures and international travel restrictions are complicating efforts to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Russia and Kazakhstan signed 15 agreements during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Astana on Thursday (28 May), including deals on Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant and expanded oil cooperation with Russia.
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Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Voting has begun in Malta’s parliamentary election, with opinion polls suggesting the ruling Labour Party is on course to win a fourth consecutive term.
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