Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the U.S. has completed its 17th known strike on alleged drug boats, killing at least three people.
“As we’ve said before, vessel strikes on narco-terrorists will continue until their the poisoning of the American people stops,” Hegseth said in an X post Thursday.
Hegseth provided a few details.
“Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization,” he wrote.
“The vessel was trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean and was struck in international water, he continued. “No U.S. forces were harmed in the strike, and three male narco-terrorists — who were aboard the vessel — were killed.”
He then issued a warning.
“To all narco-terrorists who threaten our homeland: if you want to stay alive, stop trafficking drugs. If you keep trafficking deadly drugs—we will kill you.”
As we’ve said before, vessel strikes on narco-terrorists will continue until their the poisoning of the American people stops.
Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist… pic.twitter.com/gQF9LpSjqD
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) November 7, 2025
The announcement came hours after the Senate voted on a measure aimed at the military action. NBC reports:
The Senate on Thursday voted down a measure requiring congressional approval for any military action by President Donald Trump against Venezuela.
The bipartisan resolution failed in a 49-51 vote that required a simple majority to pass. Two Republicans — Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky — joined all 47 Democrats voting in support of the measure.
The administration has carried out at least 17 such strikes in the region, including the Eastern Pacific, killing at least 69 people.
