US kills 6 suspected narco-terrorists in overnight strike on alleged drug smuggling boat, Hegseth says

President Donald Trump directed a nighttime U.S. strike on a suspected Tren de Aragua vessel in the Caribbean Sea, killing six alleged narco-terrorists, officials say.

"The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics," War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on X. 

"Six male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters — and was the first strike at night," he said. "All six terrorists were killed and no U.S. forces were harmed in this strike."

Hegseth warned, "If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere, we will treat you like we treat Al-Qaeda. Day or NIGHT, we will map your networks, track your people, hunt you down, and kill you." 

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