US Strikes Vessels Near Venezuela, Eight Killed in Latest Attack

The United States has confirmed that eight people were killed in a fresh wave of attacks on vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean, intensifying regional tensions just days after US forces seized a Venezuelan oil tanker. The strikes come amid Washington’s expanding military presence across Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to an official statement, three vessels in international waters were targeted on Monday in what were described as “lethal kinetic strikes,” authorised by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The US military said three people were killed on the first vessel, two on the second, and three on the third. Authorities claimed those killed were linked to drug trafficking, though no evidence was publicly presented to support the allegation.

The latest operation has reignited international criticism over the legality of US military actions in the region. Since September, at least 90 people have reportedly been killed in similar strikes on dozens of vessels operating in waters near Venezuela, including the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. International law experts and human rights advocates have described these actions as potential extrajudicial killings carried out far from declared war zones.

Within the United States, the attacks have also triggered political scrutiny. Several lawmakers have questioned Defense Secretary Hegseth over his direct involvement in authorising past strikes. Particular concern has focused on a September incident in which a second attack allegedly targeted two individuals who survived an initial strike and were later seen clinging to debris in the water.

At the same time, the Pentagon has continued to expand its military footprint around Venezuela. US warships, a submarine, surveillance drones, and fighter jets have been deployed across the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Washington maintains that the buildup is part of an effort to curb drug smuggling routes in the region.

Venezuela has firmly rejected that explanation, accusing the US of using counter-narcotics operations as a cover for geopolitical and economic interests. Venezuelan officials argue that the real objective is to gain control over the country’s vast oil and gas resources. These accusations gained traction after US forces seized a Venezuelan oil tanker off the country’s coast last week. Shortly afterward, US President Donald Trump told reporters, “I assume we’re going to keep the oil,” a remark that further inflamed tensions.

The situation has become more volatile with the involvement of neighbouring countries. Trinidad and Tobago announced that it has authorised US military aircraft to use its airports in the coming weeks. The government said the move is intended to support logistical operations such as supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations. The Caribbean nation lies just 12 kilometres from Venezuela at its closest point.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly defended cooperation with the US, taking a hard stance against drug trafficking. She has previously stated that she would rather see traffickers “blown to pieces” than allow them to harm citizens of her country.

In response to the latest developments, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced that Venezuela would halt gas supplies to Trinidad and Tobago. The decision, reported by state media, signals a further deterioration in diplomatic and economic relations as military activity in the region continues to escalate.

The unfolding situation highlights growing instability in the Caribbean and northern South America, with rising concerns over sovereignty, international law, and the broader consequences of increasing military action in strategically vital waters.