Using an Unmarked Aircraft to Attack an Alleged Drug Boat: Is it Perfidy?

Reports have surfaced that a military aircraft used in the highly controversial Sept. 2, 2025, strike on an alleged drug boat, as well as a follow-on strike as two survivors were clinging to its wreckage, was imitating a civilian aircraft (see here and here ). Reportedly, the aircraft had no military markings and carried weapons internally, but its transponder was “squawking” its military status.

The aircraft apparently swooped in low over the boat, which turned back toward Venezuela, before attacking it and killing nine on board. Two shipwrecked crewmembers and the remains of the boat were then destroyed in a second strike (see analysis of the attacks here and here ). Most discussion of disguising the aircraft’s military character has focused on whether doing so violates the law of armed