U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth released a video on October 3, 2025, confirming that a U.S. military strike had killed four alleged drug smugglers “narco-terrorists” on a vessel off the coast of Venezuela. The announcement was made on social media, with President Donald Trump also sharing the footage.
The strike was the fourth in a series of similar attacks in the region since September. These military actions have prompted concern and condemnation from various sources, including international law experts and political figures in Venezuela, who question the legality of using lethal military force against suspected drug smugglers.