September 16, 2025
The United States military has destroyed a vessel it says was being used by Venezuelan drug traffickers, killing three people on board. The incident, which occurred in the Caribbean waters near Venezuela’s northern coast, has sparked fresh controversy over Washington’s use of force in its decades-long “war on drugs.”
According to a statement from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the boat was identified as a “narco-vessel” linked to international trafficking networks and ignored repeated orders to stop. Military officials said a U.S. aircraft engaged the vessel after determining it posed a threat to regional security.
“The interdiction was conducted in line with international law and longstanding U.S. counter-narcotics operations in the region,” a SOUTHCOM spokesperson said. “The destruction of the vessel prevented a large shipment of illicit drugs from reaching global markets.”
Venezuelan authorities, however, have not confirmed the U.S. account. Officials in Caracas accused Washington of violating the country’s sovereignty and demanded an immediate investigation. “This was an illegal act of aggression in our territorial waters,” said a statement from Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We hold the United States responsible for the deaths of Venezuelan citizens.”
The strike comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries. Relations between Washington and Caracas have been strained for years, with the U.S. imposing sanctions on Venezuela’s government while accusing it of corruption and ties to criminal organizations. Venezuelan officials, in turn, accuse the U.S. of using the “drug war” as a pretext to undermine its sovereignty.
Human rights organizations have also raised concerns, questioning whether lethal force was necessary. “Destroying a civilian vessel without clear evidence or transparency sets a dangerous precedent,” said Maria Ortega, a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch’s Latin America division. “Even if drug trafficking is involved, there must be accountability for the loss of life.”
The identities of the three individuals killed have not yet been released, and conflicting reports suggest they may have been fishermen or smugglers. Independent verification of the U.S. military’s claims has not been possible.
The incident is likely to further strain regional diplomacy, particularly as Caribbean and Latin American nations continue to push for greater cooperation on maritime security without unilateral action from outside powers.
As both Washington and Caracas trade accusations, analysts warn the episode could escalate into another flashpoint in the already fraught U.S.–Venezuela relationship.