WASHINGTON: Strikes on three suspected narco-trafficking vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean killed eight people on Monday, the US military said, continuing a campaign that has claimed more than 90 lives since September. The vessels were reportedly traveling along known drug-trafficking routes.
Read More: US military strike destroys suspected drug vessel in Eastern Pacific
US Southern Command confirmed that eight men were killed—three on the first vessel, two on the second, and three on the third. Video footage released shows the boats afloat before being struck. Intelligence indicated the vessels were engaged in narcotics trafficking.
The #US #military said on Monday that it had carried out strikes on three vessels in international waters, killing eight men.
“Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known #narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in… pic.twitter.com/rQjkKuhWFK
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) December 16, 2025
Since early September, US forces have destroyed at least 26 suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing at least 95 people. The operations coincide with a significant US military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier and several warships.
On Dec. 15, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/IQfCVvUpau
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 16, 2025
US President Trump has defended the strikes as part of efforts to combat narco-trafficking. However, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed suspicion, claiming the operations could be a pretext for regime change in Caracas.
The campaign has faced controversy. In one early incident, survivors of a strike were reportedly killed in a second attack on the same vessel, prompting accusations of potential war crimes. Pentagon officials clarified that the second strike was ordered by Admiral Frank Bradley, not Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth.
Read More: US may strike nations trafficking drugs, says Trump
US officials say the strikes are ongoing and emphasize their focus on disrupting drug-trafficking networks in the region.