In the aftermath of a US military strike that killed 11 men on an alleged ‘drug vessel’ bound for Trinidad, Venezuelan security forces have reportedly flooded the coastal town of San Juan de Unare, allegedly sealing off its streets.

Located approximately 45 miles away from Trinidad’s northern coast, the town in Venezuela’s Sucre state is believed to be the point from which the deceased men originated, Venezuelan media reporting that eight of the 11 were residents, and three came from neighbouring towns.

El Pitazo, an independent Venezuelan media outlet on Thursday reported that residents and family members were grieved and outraged over the killings. The boat, it said, was a speedboat measuring 12 meters long by 2.5 meters wide, with four engines of 200 horsepower.