Title: U.S. Military Strike Off Venezuela Kills Six Alleged Drug Traffickers

The United States military conducted a strike on a small boat off the coast of Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, according to President Donald Trump. The strike, which occurred in international waters, is the fifth such operation in the Caribbean as the Trump administration intensifies its campaign against alleged drug traffickers, labeling them as unlawful combatants.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump stated that no U.S. forces were harmed during the operation. He indicated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the strike, which was captured on video and shared online. The footage shows the boat, which appeared stationary, being hit by a projectile and subsequently exploding.

Trump claimed that intelligence confirmed the vessel was involved in narcotics trafficking and was linked to "narcoterrorist networks" operating on a known drug trafficking route. However, the Pentagon has not provided additional details regarding the operation, and some lawmakers are expressing frustration over the lack of transparency.

Frustration is mounting on Capitol Hill, with members from both major political parties questioning the legal justification for these strikes. Some Republicans are seeking more information from the White House, while Democrats argue that the strikes may violate U.S. and international law. Last week, the Senate voted on a war powers resolution aimed at restricting the administration's ability to conduct such strikes without congressional approval, but the measure did not pass.

In a memo to Congress, the Trump administration stated it had determined that the U.S. is engaged in a non-international armed conflict with designated terrorist organizations. The memo indicated that Trump directed the Pentagon to conduct operations against these groups in accordance with the law of armed conflict.

Despite these assertions, the administration has not provided evidence to lawmakers that the targeted boats were indeed carrying narcotics. Two U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed this lack of evidence.

The strikes have coincided with a significant increase in U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean, a move that has raised concerns among Venezuelan officials. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino has accused the U.S. of using false drug trafficking claims as a pretext for regime change in Venezuela. He warned of potential escalation and urged the public to prepare for possible confrontations.

As tensions rise, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing debates in the U.S. Congress regarding the legality and implications of these military actions.