Trump confirms US strike on third narcotics vessel in international waters

​​​​​​​By Gizem Nisa Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - President Donald Trump announced Friday that the US conducted a lethal airstrike against a third vessel allegedly affiliated with a designated terror organization engaged in narcotrafficking.

“On my Orders, the Secretary of War ordered a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization conducting narcotrafficking in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” Trump wrote on his social media company, Truth Social.

He claimed that intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking illicit narcotics and was en route to poison Americans.

The strike resulted in the deaths of three males aboard the vessel, which was in international waters. No US forces were harmed in the operation, according to the president.

The Venezuelan government has yet to respond to the strike. The strike follows a similar operation earlier this month that resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals allegedly involved in narcotrafficking.

Also, on Monday, another three people were killed in a second American strike on a boat that was allegedly transporting narcotics from Venezuela.

"These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels pose a threat to U.S. National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital U.S. Interests," Trump said on Truth Social about the incident.

"Be warned -- if you are transporting drugs that can kill Americans, we are hunting you! The illicit activities by these cartels have wrought devastating consequences on American communities for decades, killing millions of American citizens. No longer," he added.