US Strikes Fifth ‘Narcoterrorist’ Boat in Caribbean, Kills 6

President Donald Trump said the US carried out a military strike against a vessel off the coast of Venezuela on Tuesday, killing six who were “trafficking narcotics.”

Key Quote: Trump shared aerial surveillance video of the strike and said, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known [Designated Terrorist Organization] route. The strike was conducted in International Waters, and six male narcoterrorists were killed in the strike.”

For Context: The strike is the fifth of its kind since September. So far, the strikes have killed 27, though the US government has not yet provided the identities of those killed or evidence that the boats were trafficking illicit materials. On September 21, the US neutralized an alleged smuggling boat that the Dominican Republic said it recovered 1,000 kilos of cocaine from. On October 1, Trump declared the US in a state of “armed conflict” against drug cartels in the Caribbean. In early August, the US offered a $50 million reward for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum included perspectives critical of the strikes. Washington Times (Lean Right bias) shared a quote from a close Maduro ally who said the US is spreading “lies” to “have an excuse for aggression.” The Guardian (Left) reported that “experts at the United Nations” said, “International law does not allow governments to simply murder alleged drug traffickers.” BBC (Center) wrote, “The US has not provided evidence or details about identities of the vessels or those on board them.”

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