The US military killed 11 people on Tuesday in an attack on a Venezuelan vessel allegedly suspected of transporting illegal drugs, US President Donald Trump said, Reuters reported.
It is the first known operation since his administration recently deployed warships to the southern Caribbean.
"We just, a few minutes ago, literally sank a boat, a boat loaded with drugs, there were a lot of drugs on that boat. And there's more. We have a lot of drugs flowing into our country, for a long time... This one came from Venezuela," Trump told reporters at the White House.
He later shared a video on his Truth Social platform that appeared to show drone footage above the sea, showing a speedboat exploding and then bursting into flames.
"11 terrorists were killed in the attack. No American troops were injured in this attack," Trump said.
He added that the US military had identified the crew as members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which the US designated a terrorist group in February. He repeated accusations that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro controls the group, which Caracas denies.
Venezuelan Communications Minister Freddy Nánez suggested in a social media post that the video Trump shared was created by artificial intelligence.
Reuters conducted preliminary checks of the footage, including analysis using manipulation detection tools, which showed no evidence of editing.
However, detailed verification is underway and Reuters will continue to review the footage as more information becomes available.
The Pentagon did not release details about the attack, including the type of drugs on board, the quantity or how the attack was carried out.
The decision to blow up a suspicious vessel instead of seizing it and arresting the crew is highly unusual and reminiscent of the US fight against militant groups such as al-Qaeda, according to Reuters.
"Being suspected of drug trafficking does not carry a death sentence," said Adam Isakson, director of defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, in a post on the X network.
The US has deployed warships to the southern Caribbean in recent weeks to implement Trump's promise to crack down on drug cartels.
Tuesday's military operation appeared to be the first such operation in the region.
Seven US warships, along with one nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, are already in the region or will soon be, with more than 4.500 sailors and Marines.
Although the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy operate regularly in the southern Caribbean, the current schedule exceeds normal operations in the area.
The naval group includes warships including the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima and USS Fort Lauderdale. Some of them can carry helicopters, while others can launch Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The US military also uses P-8 reconnaissance aircraft in the region to gather intelligence, flying over international waters.
Speaking to reporters, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: "This particular drug was probably destined for Trinidad or another country in the Caribbean."
"Suffice it to say that the president will go on the offensive against drug cartels and drug trafficking in the United States," Rubio said.
Trump's singling out Maduro as responsible has raised concerns in Caracas that their government could be the real target.
Last month, the US doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and criminal groups.
Venezuelan officials have repeatedly claimed that Tren de Aragua is no longer active in their country, after it was allegedly dismantled during a prison raid in 2023.
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