Two men were killed in the attack, according to Hegseth. The US accuses the boat of smuggling drugs and being part of a terrorist organization.
The attack was issued on the orders of President Donald Trump.
Tensions between the United States and Colombia and Venezuela have escalated after the United States carried out several attacks on boats allegedly transporting drugs off the coast of their respective countries. At least 67 people have been killed in the latest attack, including the US attacks. The country has attacked boats in the Pacific Ocean and especially in the Caribbean Sea.
Recently, Donald Trump also gave the CIA the go-ahead to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela, which is part of the US's attempt to put pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
