The United States military allegedly disguised one of its aircraft as a civilian plane during a deadly strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat travelling from Venezuela, a move that could amount to a war crime under international law, according to an investigation by The New York Times. The report said such deception could constitute “perfidy”, a tactic prohibited under the laws of armed conflict. According to the Times, the aircraft lacked visible military markings, although its transponder was transmitting a military tail number. Three sources told the newspaper the plane was painted in standard military grey but bore no insignia identifying it as a combat aircraft. Trump has argued that the United States is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels, whom he has labelled unlawful combatants

Source: International New York Times January 13, 2026 08:35 UTC