US confirms survivors in Caribbean airstrike on suspected drug boat

The United States has acknowledged that several people survived a recent airstrike conducted by its military on a boat in the Caribbean suspected of narcotics trafficking. This marks the first confirmed instance of survivors from such an operation in the region, which targeted what US authorities labeled a "narcoterrorist-operated" vessel.

White House Justification and Policy

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the legality of the strike, stating it falls within the government's authority to combat drug smuggling, particularly from Venezuela. She asserted that President Donald Trump has been transparent about the policy, citing the release of declassified footage. "The president campaigned on using every lever of power to go after the drug cartels," Leavitt said, claiming the operations have reduced the number of drug boats reaching US shores.

International Condemnation and Dispute

The airstrikes have drawn sharp international criticism, particularly from Venezuela. Samuel Moncada, Venezuela's Ambassador to the UN, condemned the actions, urging Washington to "stop this madness" and accusing it of carrying out extrajudicial executions of civilians. He contested the US narrative, stating that relatives identified those killed in a previous strike as fishermen from Trinidad and Tobago, not narcotraffickers, and called for a UN Security Council investigation.

Broader Military and Legal Context

The controversial airstrike policy is underpinned by a decree signed by Trump that authorized a broader deployment of US forces to counter Latin American drug cartels. This has led to the positioning of US warships and submarines off Venezuela's coast. International observers have repeatedly criticized these missions, describing the targeted strikes as violations of international law that undermine national sovereignty.