Caribbean and Pacific — as officials in President Donald Trump’s administration were reported to have held meetings on possible military operations in Venezuela. In a post on X on Friday, U.S. Southern Command said the strike on Monday was authorized by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and that the boat was “trafficking narcotics,” without providing evidence.

Southern Command shared an accompanying video clip showing an aerial view of the boat traveling in the Caribbean before being struck and exploding in a ball of flames. International law and human rights experts have repeatedly said that such attacks amount to extrajudicial executions, even if those targeted are suspected of drug trafficking. The Trump administration has ordered at least 20 military strikes in recent months against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and off the Pacific coasts of Latin America, killing some 80 people.

The Reuters news agency reported on Saturday that senior Trump administration officials held three meetings at the White House this week to discuss options for possible military action against Venezuela, citing unnamed officials. The reported meetings come as the Trump administration has continued to significantly expand the U.S. military presence in the Latin America region, including with F-35 aircraft, warships, and a nuclear submarine. (Aljazeera)