The US has struck another vessel off the coast of Venezuela, killing six people, President Donald Trump has said. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the vessel belonged to 'narcoterrorists' and was 'trafficking narcotics.' This is the fifth strike of its kind by the Trump administration on a boat accused of trafficking drugs on international waters since September, bringing the total number of reported fatalities to 27. However, the US has not provided evidence or detailed identities of the vessels or individuals on board.

Some legal experts have accused the US of breaching international law, with neighboring countries such as Colombia and Venezuela condemning the strikes. Trump noted that 'intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known route for smuggling.' An aerial surveillance video accompanying his post showed a small boat being struck by a missile.

Trump did not specify the nationality of those on board or the drug smuggling organizations implicated. He reassured that no US military personnel were injured in this operation. This military action arises in the context of a recent leaked memo indicating the US's designation of a 'non-international armed conflict' with drug cartels. Despite positioning the strikes as acts of self-defense, the legality of these actions has been challenged by numerous lawyers.

This breaking news story is being updated, and more details will be published shortly.