Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The United States attacked a boat allegedly operated by a Venezuelan drug-smuggling operation, killing six people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday.
He said the attack happened overnight "along a known narco-trafficking route" in the Caribbean Sea under the direction of President Donald Trump. Hegseth added that the vessel was operated by Tren de Aragua, a Venezuela criminal organization considered a terror organization by the U.S. government.
"Six male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters -- and was the first strike at night," Hegseth said in a post on X. "All six terrorists were killed and no U.S. forces were harmed in this strike.
"If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere, we will treat you like we treat al-Qaida. Day or NIGHT, we will map your networks, track your people, hunt you down and kill you."
Hegseth posted what appeared to be a night-vision video taken from the air of the attack on the boat.
