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Per the announcement from US Defense Secretary the Pentagon's top official, American forces killed four individuals in an operation targeting a vessel suspected of carrying narcotics in international waters near Venezuela.

This action occurred shortly after American authorities notified Congress regarding the US was entering an armed confrontation with narco-trafficking organizations.

It represents no fewer than the fourth such unprecedented and controversial operation by US forces beyond US territorial waters in recent weeks.

Specifics of the Strike

Hegseth indicated that the boat was targeted as it was carrying large quantities of illegal drugs destined for the United States, which he described to public health.

“Our intelligence, without a doubt, confirmed that this vessel was trafficking narcotics, the people onboard were narco-terrorists, and they were operating on a known narco-trafficking transit route,” Hegseth said via an online statement.

Hegseth also claimed that the vessel had links to Designated Terrorist Organizations, a label applied in a confidential memo sent to lawmakers.

Juridical and Governmental Background

The Trump administration has notified the legislative branch regarding its view that cartels as “non-state armed groups” and their actions in narcotics trafficking “constitute an armed attack” on the US.

This notification was accompanied by a classified briefing with lawmakers from the Senate defense panel, held recently.

White House representatives have sought to legitimize these operations under the president’s constitutional authority, which allow military action in self-defense during confined conflicts.

Previous Strikes and International Response

Before the latest incident, US forces carried out attacks against three vessels in the Caribbean, which led to 17 fatalities and sparking global condemnation.

The defense secretary reiterated that such operations “will continue” until “threats to US citizens persist”.

Administrative Restructuring and Oversight

Officials have allegedly empowered a White House security body to function as an independent entity within the administration, a change from previous administrations where it reported to the national security adviser.

The reorganization affected the planning and implementation of these military actions, as certain authorities learning of operations shortly prior to their execution.

Regardless of official assertions, legal experts have noted that labeling trafficking groups as terrorist entities does not grant extra powers to employ deadly action without concrete evidence connecting them with a foreign government.

To date, US officials has yet to offer proof regarding the supposed penetration of the Venezuelan government.