The U.S. military carried out a precision strike on a drug-laden vessel from Venezuela in the Caribbean on Tuesday, marking the first known operation since the Trump administration’s recent surge of naval forces to the region.

President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that the military had “shot out a boat, a drug-carrying boat, a lot of drugs in that boat”, adding that it was part of broader efforts to halt narcotics entering the United States. He noted that the Pentagon would release additional details soon.

A defense official confirmed the strike, describing the target as a vessel operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization, but declined to specify the type of drugs seized, the method of the attack, or whether there were casualties.

The Venezuelan government has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The operation follows the deployment of seven U.S. warships and a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine to the southern Caribbean, alongside more than 4,500 sailors and Marines. The naval force includes vessels such as the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale, some capable of launching helicopters or Tomahawk cruise missiles.

U.S. officials say the buildup is part of an intensified campaign against drug cartels in the region. Surveillance missions using P-8 spy planes have also been reported over international waters.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed in a post on X that the boat had departed Venezuela before being struck, calling it “a lethal strike”, though the administration has not confirmed any fatalities.