The US says four people have been killed in its latest strike, on a suspected drug boat near Venezuela.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed via X that the “lethal, kinetic, strike”, which was ordered by President Donald Trump, took place in international waters on earlier today.

The vessel, described as being linked to designated terrorist organizations, was allegedly transporting a large quantity of narcotics destined for the United States.

Mr Hegseth said intelligence confirmed the boat was operating along a known narco-trafficking route, and vowed that such strikes will continue until what he called “attacks on the American people” are stopped.

Venezuela has yet to respond, but earlier this week, President Nicolas Maduro warned that he may declare a state of emergency in response to U.S. military actions near its borders.