JTF Southern Spear killed 4 aboard suspected narcotics vessel in Caribbean; 4th strike, ~20 campaign deaths
U.S. military struck a small vessel in international waters off Venezuela's coast on October 3, killing four men. Defense Secretary Hegseth announced the strike without providing evidence of drug trafficking. The strike occurred after Trump declared a 'non-international armed conflict' with drug cartels and despite Senate opposition to strikes without authorization.