US attacks two more vessels suspected of transporting drugs in the Pacific | World

“Our intelligence community knew that these vessels were involved in drug smuggling, were transporting drugs, and were transiting known drug trafficking routes,” Hegseth said in a social media post.

As the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean increases, the U.S. carried out nearly 20 attacks on ships near the Venezuelan coast in September, and more recently in the Pacific, killing more than 70 people, Hegseth said.

Foreign leaders, members of Congress, legal experts and the victims’ families have called on the United States for evidence, although President Donald Trump’s administration has offered no evidence and insists the ship was transporting drugs.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said US attacks on suspected drug traffickers were unacceptable and a violation of international law. Venezuela says the bombing is illegal, amounts to murder and constitutes an invasion of the country.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused President Trump of trying to overthrow his government, a claim the US president has ignored despite reports of close contact between the White House and Venezuelan rebels.

In recent weeks, President Trump has authorized CIA actions in Venezuela and threatened to launch a U.S. military attack inside the country, but later backtracked.

The statement came after the United States strengthened its military presence in the Caribbean by sending a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and warships, accompanied by the world’s largest aircraft carrier. In response, President Maduro has strengthened his security forces, mobilizing tens of thousands of soldiers across the country.