January 12, 2026
U.S. used civilian-disguised aircraft in Venezuela strike
Military disguised combat aircraft as civilian plane, violating law of war
🛡️National Security🌍Foreign Policy✊Civil Rights
The New York Times reported on Jan. 13, 2026, that the U.S. military used an aircraft painted to look civilian for a Sept. 2, 2025, strike in the Caribbean. The disguised plane was part of a fleet typically reserved for conducting surveillance operations, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The aircraft struck a suspected drug boat, killing 11 people.
Two people survived an initial attack only to be killed in a follow-up strike, according to reports. The Sept. 2 operation was the first of dozens of strikes Trump ordered against vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The administration says the boats were carrying illegal narcotics and were operated by criminal organizations.
Trump announced the Sept. 2 strike on Truth Social, calling it a 'kinetic strike against positively identified Tren de Aragua narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility.' SOUTHCOM is the U.S. military's combatant command covering Central and South America and the Caribbean. The administration hasn't released video footage or detailed targeting criteria for the strikes.
The Geneva Conventions prohibit military forces from disguising combat aircraft as civilian planes. The rule protects actual civilian aircraft from being mistaken as military threats. Legal experts say using civilian markings on combat aircraft violates the law of war and could constitute a war crime.
Human Rights Watch called for investigation into the reported use of disguised aircraft. The organization says the disclosure raises questions about erosion of internal safeguards on U.S. military operations. U.S. lawmakers including those from both parties have demanded the administration release video of the boat strikes and explain targeting procedures.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to comment when asked about the disguised aircraft. The White House also refused to provide details about the plane's use or why civilian markings were employed. Pentagon officials haven't explained who authorized using surveillance aircraft painted as civilian planes for combat strikes.
The FAA issued a background notice in Nov. 2025 warning U.S. civil aviation about increased GPS interference in Venezuela's airspace. The notice mentioned Venezuela's military exercises and mass mobilization of forces starting in early Sep. 2025. It cautioned that Venezuela possesses advanced fighter aircraft and weapons systems capable of reaching civil aircraft operating altitudes. The timing coincided with the disguised aircraft strikes.
🛡️National Security🌍Foreign Policy✊Civil Rights
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
What name did the U.S. military give to the broader campaign of boat strikes that began with the September 2, 2025 attack?
Q2
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on the U.S. to halt the boat strikes to prevent extrajudicial killings.
Q3
How many people were killed in the September 2, 2025 initial strike on the boat from Venezuela, according to President Trump's announcement?
Q4
Following the September 2 attack, the U.S. military continued using disguised civilian-painted aircraft for subsequent boat strikes throughout the Caribbean and Pacific.
Q5
The Pentagon's own Law of War Manual explicitly states that military aircraft must be marked so they are recognizable as military at a distance.
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Start QuizPeople, bills, and sources
Steven J. Lepper
Retired Major General, Former Deputy Judge Advocate General, U.S. Air Force
Mark Kelly
U.S. Senator (D-AZ), Retired Navy Captain
Pete Hegseth
Secretary of Defense
Mary Ellen O'Connell
Professor of International Law, Notre Dame Law School
Charlie Savage
New York Times Investigative Reporter
Stephen Miller
White House Deputy Chief of Staff
Chris Wright
Energy Secretary
What you can do
1
civic action
Contact House Armed Services Committee to demand hearings on Venezuela war crimes
The Armed Services Committee has oversight of military operations and can investigate whether commanders authorized perfidy and whether service members face legal jeopardy.
Hi, I'm calling to demand hearings on the New York Times revelation that U.S. military used aircraft disguised as civilian planes in Venezuela attacks.
Key points to mention:
- Retired Maj. Gen. Lepper says this constitutes 'perfidy,' a war crime
- Defense Dept manual states aircraft not identifiable as combatant shouldn't engage in combat
- At least 35 attacks occurred using this tactic from Sept 2025 to Jan 2026
- Pentagon refuses to comment on operations or address war crime allegations
Questions to ask:
- Will the committee hold classified briefings on Venezuela operations?
- Who authorized the use of disguised civilian aircraft?
- What protections exist for service members ordered to commit perfidy?
- Will the committee investigate other potential law of war violations?
Specific request: I want immediate classified hearings and public accountability for commanders who authorized war crimes.
Thank you.
2
civic action
Support Sen. Kelly's lawsuit defending service members' right to refuse unlawful orders
Kelly's lawsuit challenges the administration's censure for warning troops about unlawful orders. The perfidy revelation validates his concerns and strengthens his legal case.
Hi, I'm calling to express support for Sen. Kelly's lawsuit challenging his censure for warning service members about unlawful orders.
Key points to mention:
- NYT revealed U.S. military committed perfidy (war crime) in Venezuela operations
- This validates Kelly's Jan. 2 warning that troops must refuse unlawful orders
- Defense Dept manual explicitly prohibits using civilian-marked aircraft for combat
- Pentagon won't address war crime allegations or explain who authorized operations
Questions to ask:
- How can I support the senator's legal case?
- Will the senator call for investigation of who ordered the perfidy?
- What protections exist for service members who refuse unlawful orders?
Specific request: I want the senator to continue defending service members' legal obligation to refuse war crimes, and to demand accountability for commanders who ordered perfidy.
Thank you.
3
civic action
File complaint with International Committee of the Red Cross documenting U.S. perfidy
The ICRC monitors compliance with Geneva Conventions and can document violations for future accountability, even if immediate prosecution is unlikely.
washington.was@icrc.org
Subject: Complaint Regarding U.S. Military Perfidy in Venezuela Operations
Dear International Committee of the Red Cross,
I'm writing to document apparent violations of Geneva Conventions Additional Protocol I, Article 37 (perfidy) by U.S. military forces.
Documented violations:
- U.S. military used aircraft disguised as civilian planes in at least 35 attacks on Venezuelan maritime targets (Sept 2025-Jan 2026)
- New York Times investigation (Jan 12, 2026) documented civilian markings on combat aircraft
- Retired U.S. Maj. Gen. Steven Lepper confirmed this constitutes perfidy under international law
- U.S. Defense Dept manual (Section 5.21.4.1-2) prohibits exactly this conduct
Request: Please document these violations for future accountability mechanisms and remind U.S. government of obligations under laws of war.
Source: New York Times, Jan. 12, 2026 investigation by Charlie Savage et al.
Sincerely, [Your name and contact information]