Hegseth's Military Boat Strikes Near Venezuela Revealed

Overview of U.S. Military Strikes on Drug Vessels Near Venezuela

The White House has recently defended the legality of its military strikes targeting suspected drug vessels in the waters surrounding Venezuela. These actions have sparked significant controversy, with military experts questioning their legal standing and lawmakers demanding more transparency regarding the lethal operations. The strikes, often announced by President Donald Trump or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on social media, have resulted in the deaths of dozens of individuals so far.

These attacks are part of a broader strategy to exert pressure on Venezuela and its leader, Nicolás Maduro. The Department of Defense has not yet responded to requests for comment from Axios regarding these operations.

Pre-Strike Activities: U.S. Naval Buildup

In mid-August, the United States deployed warships, spy planes, fighter jets, bombers, and drones to the waters near Venezuela. This move came after the U.S. increased the bounty on Maduro due to allegations of drug trafficking. The U.S. Navy's USS Lake Erie was seen docking at the Port of Balboa in Panama City on August 29 as part of this naval buildup.

The U.S. Navy cruiser USS Lake Erie docking at the Port of Balboa in Panama City on Aug. 29, as part of a broader U.S. naval buildup near Venezuela . Photo: Mauricio Valenzuela/AFP via Getty Images

Notable Strikes and Their Impact

Strike 1: Pentagon's "Precision Strike"

On September 2, the Pentagon announced a "precision strike against a drug vessel operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization." President Trump shared a video of the attack, claiming it killed 11 alleged members of Tren de Aragua, a cartel based in Venezuela.

Reported death toll: 11

Strike 2

On September 15, Trump announced an attack that killed three people allegedly transporting illegal narcotics.

Reported death toll: 3 (14 total)

Strike 3

On September 19, Trump posted a video showing a strike off the coast of Venezuela, which he claimed killed "three male narcoterrorists."

Reported death toll: 3 (17 total)

Strike 4

On October 3, Hegseth announced a strike against an alleged drug-carrying vessel near Venezuela, killing four people.

Reported death toll: 4 (21 total)

Strike 5: Deaths in International Waters

On October 14, Trump stated that six people died in another attack conducted in international waters.

Reported death toll: 6 (27 total)

Strike 6: A Submarine Strike

On October 16, Trump mentioned an attack on a "drug-carrying submarine" in the Caribbean, with two people dying.

Reported death toll: 2 (29 total)

Strike 7: Hegseth Warns of Insurgent Group

Hegseth announced a military strike that killed three men allegedly linked to the Colombian insurgent group Ejército de Liberación Nacional on October 17.

Reported death toll: 3 (32 total)

Strike 8

Two alleged "narco-terrorists" were killed in a boat strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean near Colombia, according to Hegseth’s post on X on October 22.

Reported death toll: 2 (34 total)

Strike 9: Strike in the Eastern Pacific

Hegseth revealed another strike in the eastern Pacific on October 22, saying three people were killed.

Reported death toll: 3 (37 total)

Strike 10: Hegseth on Link to Tren de Aragua

Hegseth announced a 10th strike that killed six people on a boat in the Caribbean, claiming it was operated by Tren de Aragua.

Reported death toll: 6 (43 total)

Strikes 11, 12, 13: Multiple Boats Attacked

Hegseth said on October 28 that 14 people were killed from three strikes against four alleged drug smuggling boats, with one survivor.

Reported death toll: 14 (57 total)

Strike 14

Hegseth announced another lethal strike in an Oct. 29 X post, saying the U.S. killed four people on an alleged drug-carrying vessel.

Reported death toll: 4 (61 total)

Strike 15: Vessel Destroyed in Caribbean

Hegseth announced in an X post on November 1 that the U.S. hit a vessel in the Caribbean, killing three.

Reported death toll: 3 (64 total)

Strike 16

On November 4, Hegseth said in an X post that the U.S. military struck an alleged drug-carrying vessel operated by a designated terrorist group. Two people died in the attack.

Reported death toll: 2 (66 total)

Strike 17: Hegseth's Blunt Warning

Two days later, Hegseth announced another strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean, which killed three people. He issued a warning to narco-terrorists.

Reported death toll: 3 (69 total)

Strikes 18, 19: Two Vessels Downed

Hegseth announced that six people were killed after the U.S. military destroyed two vessels allegedly carrying drugs.

Reported death toll: 6 (75 total)

Strike 20: Alleged Drug Transport Boat Hit

The U.S. struck an alleged drug-transport vessel on November 10, per the AP, citing an unnamed Pentagon official. The alleged strike killed four people.

Reported death toll: 4 (79 total)

Strike 21: Operation Southern Spear Announced

U.S. Southern Command said in an X post on November 16 that Joint Task Force Southern Spear had struck a vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing three.

Reported death toll: 3 (82 total)