U.S. military operations targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels off the Venezuelan coast have resulted in over 60 reported fatalities since early September. The Trump administration has described these operations as targeting "narco-terrorists" and cartel members involved in drug trafficking destined for the United States. However, an investigation has provided details about several of the deceased, identifying them primarily as individuals from economically challenged backgrounds, including laborers and former service members, many reportedly participating in smuggling activities due to financial necessity.
Operational Context and Official Statements
The U.S. government justifies these strikes by classifying drug cartels as "unlawful combatants" and stating that it is engaged in an "armed conflict" with them. The Pentagon has affirmed its assessment that individuals involved in these drug operations were indeed "narco-terrorists." President Trump has claimed that each vessel interdicted or destroyed prevents 25,000 American lives lost, presumably from drug overdoses. However, the vessels are reported to have been transporting cocaine, a substance distinct from the more lethal synthetic opioids responsible for a higher number of overdose deaths in the U.S.
Venezuelan officials have criticized the U.S. government regarding the strikes, with Venezuela's ambassador to the U.N. describing them as "extrajudicial executions." Venezuelan authorities have consistently denied that drug traffickers operate within the country and have not acknowledged any citizen fatalities from these boat strikes.
Profiles of Individuals Killed
Interviews conducted in villages on Venezuela's northeastern coast, from where some of the targeted boats originated, indicate that while the deceased individuals were involved in drug transport, they were generally not identified as narco-terrorists or high-ranking members of cartels or gangs. Most of the nine individuals examined by the investigation were reportedly crewing such vessels for the first or second time, with reported earnings of at least $500 per trip. Their backgrounds included a fisherman, a motorcycle taxi driver, a former military cadet, a bus driver, and low-level criminals. One individual was identified as a local crime figure who offered smuggling services to traffickers.
- Robert Sánchez: A 42-year-old fisherman from Güiria, known for his navigation skills. With an approximate monthly income of $100, he reportedly participated in trafficking to save money for a 75-horsepower boat engine. He was reported missing after a recent trip.
- Luis "Che" Martínez: A 60-year-old local figure with a history of drug and human smuggling. He was reportedly killed in the first known U.S. strike on September 2. Relatives reportedly identified his body through a distinguishing watch after a photograph circulated. U.S. officials claimed the 11-member crew of this vessel were members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a claim Martínez's relatives disputed.
- Dushak Milovcic: A 24-year-old former National Guard Academy cadet who reportedly joined criminal activities for financial gain. Despite lacking prior sea experience, he advanced to roles on drug-running boats.
- Juan Carlos "El Guaramero" Fuentes: A former transit bus driver who experienced economic hardship after his bus broke down and could not be repaired by authorities. Lacking nautical experience, he reportedly turned to smuggling as higher-level traffickers avoided being targeted. He was killed in a missile strike last month, after a successful initial smuggling trip.
Regional Economic Conditions and Motivations
The individuals resided on the Paria Peninsula, a region within Sucre state, one of Venezuela's economically disadvantaged areas. The peninsula has experienced the closure of several industries, including fish processing plants and an auto assembly plant, which previously provided employment. This economic decline, coupled with inconsistent water and power services, has created conditions where residents reportedly accept offers to participate in drug trafficking to supplement their income. The region's proximity to the Caribbean Sea positions it as a transit hub for cocaine originating from Colombia, destined for Trinidad and other Caribbean islands before reaching Europe.
Scope of Operations and Information Access
To date, the U.S. military has reported blowing up 17 vessels, resulting in over 60 fatalities. Nine of these vessels were targeted in the Caribbean, with at least three reportedly departing from Venezuela. These military actions coincide with increased U.S. pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, including a $50 million reward for his arrest and a significant U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean Sea and off Venezuela's coast, accompanied by flights of supersonic heavy bombers.
Relatives of the deceased have reported difficulties in obtaining official information regarding the deaths, citing a restricted flow of information by criminal organizations and the Venezuelan government. Confirmations of fatalities have largely been through unofficial channels such as word-of-mouth and indirect social media posts.