The US military has launched another attack on a ship suspected of being involved in drug smuggling in the Caribbean.
A US official said several crew members survived the incident.
The operation follows a US military attack on a ship suspected of carrying drugs in Venezuelan waters that killed at least 27 people.
The situation has raised concerns among legal experts and Democratic members of Congress about whether the action complies with the laws of war.
The Venezuelan government has urged the United Nations Security Council to declare the US attack on the ship illegal.
The Security Council has also been asked to issue a statement expressing support for Venezuela's sovereignty, according to a letter obtained by Reuters on Monday.
In a letter dated Wednesday to the 15 members of the Security Council, Venezuela’s UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada accused Washington of killing at least 27 people in an attack on a civilian ship sailing in international waters.
He urged the council to investigate the attack and issue a statement reaffirming the principle of respect for the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of all states, including Venezuela.
However, the Security Council is unlikely to be able to take further action beyond holding a meeting on the issue because the US has veto power.
The council held its first meeting last week at the request of Venezuela, Russia and China to discuss the escalating tensions.
At the meeting, the US defended its actions in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows member states to notify the Security Council of acts of self-defense against armed attack.
