US Military Conducts 13 Strikes Near Venezuela Since September: Over 60 Killed in Controversial Anti-Drug Operations

A boat engulfed in flames off Venezuela's coast, captured from a video released October 14

The United States has conducted 13 military strikes since September targeting vessels near Venezuela's coastline and in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in over 60 fatalities, according to the US Secretary of Defense. This marks a significant escalation in US military presence throughout the Caribbean Sea region.

Without providing concrete evidence, the US has claimed these boats were transporting narcotics. However, foreign leaders, certain members of Congress, legal experts, and relatives of those killed have demanded proof of these allegations.

The United Nations human rights chief has condemned these US strikes against alleged drug traffickers off South America's coast as "unacceptable" and in violation of international human rights standards. Venezuela has declared these actions illegal, equating them to murder and aggression against their sovereign nation.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has alleged that Donald Trump is pursuing regime change, an accusation the US president has minimized despite reports indicating his administration's close connections with Venezuelan opposition groups.

In September, the US significantly increased its military deployment in the Caribbean, including a nuclear submarine and warships accompanying the world's largest aircraft carrier. This prompted Maduro to enhance security measures and position tens of thousands of troops throughout Venezuela.

American officials have identified some strike victims as Venezuelan nationals, while Colombian President Gustavo Petro has stated others were Colombian citizens. Family members of a Trinidadian man believed killed in one strike have requested evidence supporting claims he was involved in drug trafficking.

Chronology of US military strikes:

SEPTEMBER 2 - A US strike killed 11 people on a vessel allegedly carrying illegal drugs from Venezuela, according to Trump. This operation marked the first known action since US warships were deployed to the southern Caribbean. Venezuela later refuted Trump's claim that the victims were members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

SEPTEMBER 15 - Three individuals were killed when the US targeted another alleged Venezuelan drug vessel in international waters. Trump claimed the boat was heading toward the US but provided no evidence of drug cargo.

SEPTEMBER 19 - Another US attack resulted in three fatalities on a vessel allegedly transporting drugs, according to Trump.

OCTOBER 3 - Four people died in a US strike against another supposed drug-carrying vessel near Venezuela's coast, reported US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

OCTOBER 14 - Six individuals, alleged by Trump to be drug traffickers, were killed in another strike off Venezuela's coastline.

OCTOBER 16 - Two people died in a Caribbean strike that notably produced survivors—one Colombian and one Ecuadorean—who were promptly returned to their respective countries. Colombia stated its citizen would face legal proceedings, while Ecuador released its national, citing lack of evidence for detention.

OCTOBER 17 - Three people were killed in a US strike. Colombian President Petro contradicted Hegseth's assertion that the vessel belonged to National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels, stating it was owned by a "humble family." The ELN has also denied Hegseth's claim.

OCTOBER 21 - Five individuals died when the US struck two vessels in the eastern Pacific that Hegseth claimed were smuggling drugs. This represented the first known US military operation in the Pacific under Trump's new anti-drug campaign.

OCTOBER 24 - Six people were killed in the Caribbean in what Hegseth alleged was a vessel operated by the Tren de Aragua gang.

OCTOBER 27 - Fourteen people died in three US strikes against supposed drug-transporting vessels in the eastern Pacific, with one survivor. Mexican authorities initially took responsibility for search-and-rescue operations for this survivor but suspended the search four days later.

OCTOBER 29 - Four men, allegedly on a drug vessel according to Hegseth, were killed in an eastern Pacific strike.

NOVEMBER 1 - Three men died aboard what Hegseth described as a drug trafficking organization's vessel in the Caribbean.

NOVEMBER 4 - Two men were killed in international waters in the Eastern Pacific on what Hegseth characterized as a suspected drug trafficking vessel.