The United States says it killed eight people in recent attacks on ships in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This happened just days after the US military took control of a Venezuelan oil tanker, part of its ongoing military buildup in Latin America.
The US Military Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) posted on social media that it carried out “lethal strikes” on three vessels in international waters on Monday. These strikes followed orders from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. SOUTHCOM reported that eight people were killed: three on the first vessel, two on the second, and three on the third. They claimed, without providing evidence, that those killed were involved in drug trafficking.
Since September, at least 90 people have died in similar US attacks on many vessels in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea near Venezuela. Experts in international law have criticized these actions as extrajudicial killings by the US military.
Role of Hegseth in the Attacks
Some US lawmakers have questioned Hegseth about his role in the attacks, asking if he ordered a second strike on a boat that targeted two survivors from a previous attack who were clinging to debris in September. The Pentagon has also sent warships, submarines, drones, and fighter jets to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, claiming these efforts are meant to combat drug smuggling in the area.
Venezuela has stated that the attacks and the US military buildup aim to allow “external powers to rob Venezuela’s oil and gas wealth.” This was said even before US forces seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela last week. US President Donald Trump also said, “I assume we’re going to keep the oil.”
The US military will use airports in Trinidad and Tobago, which are close to Venezuela. This decision comes after recent attacks on ships in Latin America and an increase in the US military presence in the region.
On Monday, Trinidad and Tobago announced it had allowed US military aircraft to use its airports “in the coming weeks.” The government said this would support “logistical” tasks, including resupplying and rotating personnel.
Trinidad and Tobago has supported the US military buildup, unlike some leaders in Central and South America. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar stated that she prefers strong action against drug traffickers, saying she would rather see them “blown to pieces” than let them harm her citizens.
In response, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro said on Monday that Venezuela would stop supplying gas to Trinidad and Tobago, according to state television channel Telesur.
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