U.S. military strike on a cartel boat leaves survivors for the first time, U.S. official says

The U.S. military carried out a strike against an alleged Venezuelan drug cartel boat Thursday in international waters in the Caribbean, and for the first time there were survivors, according to a U.S. official.

The strike is at least the fifth the Trump administration has carried out against boats in international waters believed to be connected to Venezuelan drug cartels. At least 21 people were killed in four previous strikes, with no survivors.

NBC News has reported that U.S. lawmakers have grown concerned about the lack of information the White House is provided about the operations.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump made an extraordinary admission, confirming he had authorized the CIA to take unspecified action in Venezuela.

“Why did you authorize the CIA to go into Venezuela?” a reporter asked Trump at the White House.

“I authorized for two reasons, really,” he replied. “No. 1, they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America.

“And the other thing are drugs,” he added. “We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela.”

The news came as Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of the U.S. Southern Command which oversees U.S. military activity in Latin America and some 1,200 personnel, said he would retire later this year.

Holsey said in a statement that he would step down Dec. 12 from the job he only began last November.

“The SOUTHCOM team has made lasting contributions to the defense of our nation and will continue to do so,” he said. “I am confident that you will forge ahead, focused on your mission that strengthens our nation and ensures its longevity as a beacon of freedom around the globe.”

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in a statement on X that Holsey had “exemplified the highest standards of naval leadership,” without mentioning any reason for his retirement.