Two men were killed in the attack, according to Hegseth. The US describes the drug cartels as terrorists and says the boat was smuggling drugs.
The attack was reportedly carried out on the orders of President Donald Trump.
Tensions with Latin American countries such as Colombia and Venezuela have escalated after the United States carried out several attacks on boats allegedly transporting drugs off their respective coasts. At least 67 people have been killed in US attacks so far, including the latest attack. The country has attacked boats mainly in the Caribbean Sea but also in the Pacific Ocean.
Recently, Trump also gave the CIA the go-ahead to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela, part of the US's attempt to put pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
