US announces 4th strike on 'narco-trafficking vessel' off Venezuela

US President Donald Trump's administration said US forces have struck a drug-trafficking vessel headed to the country in waters off Venezuela, killing four people on board. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on social media that four male "narco-terrorists" aboard a "narco-trafficking vessel" affiliated with designated terrorist organizations were killed in the strike in international waters.

The strike is the fourth of its kind reported since last month. The administration is apparently trying to justify the lethal strikes by US forces without due legal process by labeling the crew of boats allegedly carrying drugs as combatants.