The US military has carried out strikes on three boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. According to United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), 11 people were killed in the operation.
Officials said the strikes happened late Monday night. Two boats were hit in the Eastern Pacific, where four people were killed on each vessel. A third boat was struck in the Caribbean Sea, where three people were killed.
SOUTHCOM said all those killed were “male narco-terrorists.” The military also confirmed that no US service members were injured.
Part of Larger Anti-Drug Campaign
The strikes are part of a wider crackdown on drug trafficking launched under Donald Trump. Since September, US forces have carried out more than 40 strikes on boats suspected of smuggling drugs through waters near Latin America.
US officials say more than 130 people have been killed in these operations so far.
In a statement, SOUTHCOM said intelligence showed the boats were moving along known drug routes and were involved in drug operations.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supported the action. He said the campaign is meant to remove “narco-terrorists” and stop drugs from reaching the United States.
Change in US Strategy at Sea
Before this campaign, US efforts against drug smuggling at sea were mostly handled by law enforcement agencies like the Coast Guard. Those missions focused on stopping boats, arresting suspects, and seizing drugs.
Now, the US military is using air and sea strikes instead of arrests. This shows a major change in strategy.
The number of strikes slowed earlier this year after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been accused by Washington of links to drug trafficking groups. This action increased tensions between the US and Venezuela.
Legal Questions and Criticism
The US government has not released public proof that the boats hit in the strikes were carrying drugs.
Some legal experts say the strikes may break international law if civilians were targeted without proper evidence or legal process. They argue that using deadly force in international waters raises serious concerns.
The Trump administration says the actions are legal. In a statement to Congress, the White House said the US is in a formal armed conflict with certain drug cartels. Under that view, people operating drug-running boats are treated as combatants.
Families File Lawsuits
Some families of the people killed have taken the matter to court.
The families of two men from Trinidad and Tobago who were killed in an earlier strike filed a lawsuit in a US court. They claim the attack was unlawful.
Last week, a US Marine fell overboard from a military ship in the Caribbean and died. He became the first known American casualty linked to the anti-drug operation.
Ongoing Debate
Supporters of the campaign say strong action is needed to stop drugs like cocaine from entering North America.
Critics say the US should provide clear evidence and follow international law. As the strikes continue, the debate over their legality and impact is expected to grow.
Andy Roberts is a seasoned journalist with nearly 9 years experience. While studying journalism at Ryerson, Annie found a passion for finding engaging stories. As a contributor to White Pine Tribune, Annie mostly covers provincial and national developments..
