U.S. Military Strikes in Caribbean Spark International Outcry

Between September and October 2025, the United States military conducted multiple strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea, alleging these boats were involved in drug trafficking operations linked to Venezuelan organizations. These actions have resulted in at least 32 fatalities and have sparked significant international debate over their legality and implications.

The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, justified these actions as part of a broader effort to combat "narcoterrorism" and prevent illicit drugs from entering the United States. However, the administration has not provided concrete evidence linking the targeted vessels to drug trafficking activities. International bodies, including United Nations experts, have condemned the strikes, labeling them as "extrajudicial executions" and violations of international law. Regional leaders, such as Colombian President Gustavo Petro, have also criticized the U.S. actions, accusing them of violating national sovereignty and engaging in premeditated murder.

The initial strike occurred on September 2, 2025, targeting a boat purportedly operated by members of the Tren de Aragua gang, resulting in 11 fatalities. Subsequent strikes followed, with the most recent reported on October 3, 2025, where a vessel near Venezuela was struck, killing six individuals.

The U.S. military has built up a substantial force in the Caribbean Sea, including eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and fighter jets, as part of its operation to combat drug smuggling into the United States.

The strikes have disrupted life in impoverished fishing communities along Venezuela's Paria Peninsula. Residents reported that boats departing from its ports transport both drugs and fish, and the U.S. military actions have significantly impacted their livelihoods.

These developments have escalated tensions between the United States and several Latin American countries, raising concerns about the legality and implications of unilateral military actions in international waters.