The forces of USA a suspected vessel of Move narcotics In international waters close to the coast of Venezuela. As reported by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegsethin action Four people died accused of integrating drug trafficking networks.
With this fact, they are already four similar operations specified in recent weeks within the framework of the “non -international armed conflict” against traffic of Drugs in the Caribbean.
In a message posted in the Social network xHegseth explained: “This morning, by order of the president Donald TrumpI directed a lethal kinetic attack against a drug trafficking vessel affiliated with organizations designated as terrorists in the area of responsibility of the US Southern Command“
“Four male narcoterrorist on board died in the attack And no member of the US forces was injured. The operation was carried out in international waters, near the coast of Venezuela, while the boat transported significant amounts of narcotics, destined for the United States to, according to their words, ‘poison our people,’ ‘he added.
Official confirmations and warnings
The Secretary of Defense added that “intelligence, without a doubt, confirmed that this boat I was dedicated to narcotic traffickingthat people on board were narco -terrorist and who operated on a sea route known for drug traffic. ”
In addition, he warned in the same publication as This type of offensive “will continue until the attacks are over against the American people. ”
Next to the statement, he spread a video where the boat is observed in the open sea before being reached by an explosion that covers it with smoke and fire. The ship remained afloat for a few minutes While the flames consumed it.
He Pentagon He did not deliver additional information about the identity of the deceased or the amount of narcotics seized, and referred to the Hegseth statement.
Political and military context with the prominence of Donald Trump
The attack occurred less than 24 hours after US President Donald Trump He announced that the drug cartels would be considered “illegal combatants” and confirm that the United States was “in non -international armed conflict” against these organizations, according to Associated Press.
The Defense Department specified in its report that this last operation It raised to four the strands destroyed recently, with a balance of at least 21 dead.
Two more officials assured that The Navy keeps eight warships deployed in the Caribbean and more than 5,000 troops, although information about ongoing operations were reserved. In three of the confirmed attacks, the vessels involved departed from Venezuela.
Washington reactions and international criticisms
The spokesman of the White House, Steven Cheungcelebrated military action and declared that traffickers and their “mortal drugs have become stars dust.”
However, legal specialists cited by the AFP questioned the validity of these measures by considering that the use of military force against drug traffickers in international waters and based on a unilateral declaration of war could violate norms of international law.
The Venezuelan response
From Caracas, the regime of Nicolás Maduro Washington’s accusations, whom he pointed out of assembly rejected bluntly “A military threat” In the region. In response, Chavismo organized military exercises and mobilized reservists and militias to reinforce the defense of the territory.
On Thursday, the tension grew even more when the Venezuelan government denounced that several US fighters made a “Illegal incursion” in an air zone under its control.
Faced with this, Maduro said he had prepared a decree to declare the state of external shockconstitutional figure planned for armed conflicts that grants greater powers to the Executive and suspends certain guarantees. Although it never applied, the president said he is willing to put him into practice.
In parallel, Donald Trump said this week that, thanks to naval attacks, “Drug trafficking on the high seas was almost non -existent”. At the same time, he said that the control would concentrate on the land routes: “We are going to monitor very seriously to the posters that enter [la droga] By land, ”he emphasized.
Source: Ambito
