[ A U.S. military strike on a vessel off the Venezuelan coast that left 11 people dead is drawing sharp criticism and renewed scrutiny of Washington’s use of force in the region.
The Trump administration said the boat was linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and was involved in drug smuggling. But reports from CBS News and The Guardian suggest the vessel may have been heading back to shore when it was struck, raising doubts about whether lethal force was necessary.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello condemned the attack as “murder” and accused Washington of carrying out an extrajudicial killing. “If there was suspicion of illegal activity, why were they not captured?” he asked.
Several U.S. lawmakers are now demanding answers from the administration, calling for a clear legal justification for the strike and greater transparency on the rules of engagement that led to the deadly decision.
A White House spokesperson defended the action, insisting the president acted “in line with the laws of armed conflict to protect our country.” The Pentagon has declined to clarify whether the boat was retreating at the time of the strike.
The incident is straining already tense U.S.-Venezuelan relations and is expected to fuel a wider debate over the use of military force in international waters.