A US military strike on a boat believed to be carrying drugs, which tragically killed all 11 individuals on board, is facing significant scrutiny following a new report. This report challenges earlier assertions, including those by former President Donald Trump, regarding the boat’s intended destination. Trump had claimed on Truth Social that the operation targeted ‘narco-terrorists from Venezuela’ transporting illicit drugs directly to the US, emphasizing their threat to American security and noting three deaths. However, an admiral overseeing the mission conveyed to lawmakers that the boat was reportedly heading to connect with a larger vessel destined for Suriname. While not ruling out the remote possibility of the drugs reaching the US, drug enforcement sources typically associate Suriname routes with European distribution. Further complicating the narrative, Secretary of State indicated the boat was likely en route to Trinidad or another Caribbean island, contradicting the premise of a US-bound shipment. The admiral stated the boat had altered its course, turning back just before the strike. The vessel was hit multiple times, with the initial strike splitting it and leaving two survivors who were later killed by subsequent strikes that sank the boat. Pressure is mounting on the Defense Secretary to declassify the complete video footage of the strike to provide transparency. He has stated the video is under review but has not committed to its release. The admiral confirmed the operation’s explicit aim was to kill all 11 individuals and sink the boat.
