Name: U.S. strikes another alleged drug-smuggling boat in eastern Pacific
Uploaded: 2025-12-23T15:08:31.744Z
Duration: 2 min 1 s
Description: The U.S. military said Monday (December 22) that it had conducted another strike against a boat it said was smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person.

The U.S. military said Monday (December 22) that it had conducted another strike against a boat it said was smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person.

The United States has increased its efforts against Venezuela by pursuing a third oil tanker near the country and conducting strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific. These actions follow the seizure of two other tankers in previous weeks, which the U.S. claims are under sanction, while Venezuelan officials have denounced the moves as piracy under international law.

President Donald Trump has stated that the U.S. will retain the seized oil and ships, suggesting the oil could be sold or used in strategic reserves. The campaign, which includes a total blockade and accusations of drug trafficking against President Nicolas Maduro, has resulted in over 100 deaths, including fishermen, according to victims' families. Maduro has responded by urging the U.S. to focus on domestic issues and respect other countries' sovereignty.

U.S. strikes another alleged drug-smuggling boat in eastern Pacific

The pressure is at a fever pitch. The U.S. is pursuing a third oil tanker near Venezuela after seizing two others in the previous weeks that it says are under sanction, which Caracas has denounced as piracy under international law. On Monday night, U.S. President Donald Trump summarized Washington's multi-pronged campaign targeting the country, adding that it would keep the oil as well as the ships. Maybe we'll sell it, maybe we'll keep it. Maybe we'll use it in the strategic reserves. We're keeping it. We're keeping the ships also. And though he stopped short of revealing a clear endgame, he did say that it would be smart for his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, to step down, rather than fight the massive U.S. military presence assembled in the Caribbean Sea. We have a massive armada formed, the biggest we've ever had. If he plays tough, it'll be the last time he's ever able to play tough. Is the goal in Venezuela to force Maduro from power? Well, I think it probably would. I can't tell. That's up to him what he wants to do. I think it would be smart for him to do that. In response, Maduro suggested that Trump should focus on domestic affairs instead of instigating conflict. He would do better with the world if he addressed the issues in his country. The people of the United States voted for a new United States adapted to humanity that respects sovereignty, that does not intervene, that does not harass any country, that does not lead countries towards war. Washington's pressure campaign on Caracas, that now includes a total blockade of the city, started with accusations of drug trafficking, accusing Maduro himself of leading a narco-terrorist cartel. It has included a series of strikes on numerous alleged drug boats, killing over 100 people, some of whom are fishermen, several victims' families have said.

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