U.S. Military Conducts Sixth Strike on Suspected Drug Vessel in Caribbean, Survivors Reported

The U.S. military executed its sixth strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean on Thursday, marking the first instance with reported survivors. A U.S. official confirmed the operation, noting that the exact number of passengers and survivors remains unclear.

Previous strikes, initiated since last month, have resulted in at least 27 fatalities, with no survivors reported. The Trump administration has justified these actions by asserting a "non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels. President Trump stated, "When they're loaded up with drugs, they're fair game, and every one of those ships were."

Some lawmakers have expressed concerns over the strikes, questioning the administration's authority to target drug cartels without congressional approval and the lack of evidence confirming the vessels were carrying narcotics.

The operations occur amid a broader U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, aimed at pressuring Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government, which the administration accuses of collaborating with drug cartels. The U.S. has deployed eight warships, fighter jets, and 10,000 personnel to the region. Additionally, American B-52 bombers recently conducted flights approximately 150 miles north of Venezuela's coast.

President Trump also confirmed the authorization of covert CIA operations in Venezuela, citing concerns over drugs and migration. He remarked, "I think Venezuela is feeling heat."

Venezuela has condemned the U.S. actions, with Ambassador Samuel Moncada addressing the United Nations, labeling the strikes as "extrajudicial executions" and urging the Security Council to declare them illegal.

The family of Chad Joseph, a 26-year-old Trinidadian man reportedly killed in a previous U.S. strike, is demanding proof of allegations that he was involved in drug trafficking. Relatives described him as a humble fisherman and criticized the U.S. for unjustly targeting the vessel.

Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command overseeing these operations, has announced his retirement effective December 2025, following heightened scrutiny of U.S. military actions in the Caribbean.