NEW: U.S. directs ‘lethal, kinetic strike’ on narco-terrorist vessel
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth revealed a successful operation on Friday morning that effectively neutralized a vessel attempting to carry narcotics into the United States
by Summer Lane | October 3, 2025
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Friday that, at President Trump’s command, the U.S. had successfully carried out a lethal strike against a narco-trafficking vessel associated with a designated terrorist organization.
“Earlier this morning, on President Trump’s orders, I directed a lethal, kinetic strike on a narco-trafficking vessel affiliated with Designated Terrorist Organizations in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” Secretary Hegseth said in a statement.
Hegseth confirmed that four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike. He also said that no U.S. forces were harmed.
“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 stated.
The secretary said American intelligence confirmed “without a doubt” that the vessel was trafficking narcotics on a known transit route. “These strikes will continue until the attacks on the American people are over!!!!” he wrote.
This strike against drug trafficking terrorists comes as the Trump administration has prioritized taking action to halt foreign attempts to bring dangerous narcotics into the country.
According to an internal memo sent from the administration to Congress, the United States is in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels this week, per OAN.
Last week, while speaking to the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump slammed drug cartel operations, emphasizing the savagery of MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
“They’re the enemies of all humanity, and for this reason, we’ve recently begun using the supreme power of the United States military to destroy Venezuelan terrorists and trafficking networks led by Nicolás Maduro,” he said.
He continued, “To every terrorist thug smuggling poisonous drugs into the United States of America, please be warned that we will blow you out of existence.”
Photo: Screenshot/Secretary of War
