Four killed in latest US strike on alleged drug vessel near Venezuela

Donald Trump says the boat was carrying enough drugs to kill thousands of people.

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"The strike was conducted in international waters just off the coast of Venezuela while the vessel was transporting substantial amounts of narcotics - headed to America to poison our people," Hegseth wrote in a post on X.

It is the latest in a number of recent deadly strikes that the US has carried out on boats in international waters it says are involved in "narco-trafficking".

The strikes have attracted condemnation in countries including Venezuela and Colombia, with some international lawyers describing the strikes as a breach of international law.

Hegseth said the attack took place in the US Southern Command's area of responsibility, which covers most of South America and the Caribbean.