In a significant military operation, US forces targeted an alleged drug-smuggling vessel off the coast of Venezuela on Friday, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike in a post on X, accompanied by a video showing the boat engulfed in flames. Hegseth described the operation as targeting ‘narco-terrorists’ transporting ‘substantial amounts of narcotics’ intended for the US, vowing that such strikes would persist until threats to American citizens are eradicated. This marks at least the fourth such attack, with a total of 21 fatalities reported. The US government has classified drug cartels as ‘non-state armed groups’ and ‘terrorist organizations,’ justifying the strikes as part of an ‘armed conflict.’ However, critics argue that the lack of evidence and the summary nature of the killings raise legal and ethical concerns. The operation has escalated tensions between the US and Venezuela, with Caracas condemning recent US military activities in the region as provocations. The deployment of US warships and fighter jets has further strained relations, with Venezuela accusing the US of threatening its national security.