US Military Kills Three “Narco-Terrorists” in Caribbean Boat Strike

US forces struck a suspected drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean, killing three “narco-terrorists.” The vessel was linked to a designated terrorist group, according to United States Southern Command. This follows similar strikes in the Pacific, part of a broader campaign defended by Donald Trump but criticized for legality and effectiveness.

The US military announced on Monday that it had conducted another strike against what it described as a drug trafficking vessel operating in the Caribbean, killing three individuals it labeled as “narco-terrorists.” The operation is part of an ongoing campaign aimed at disrupting maritime drug smuggling routes in the region.
In a statement shared on X, the United States Southern Command said the targeted vessel was being operated by a group that has been officially designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. The command stated that the boat was traveling along established narco-trafficking corridors commonly used to transport illegal narcotics. However, officials did not disclose the name of the specific group allegedly behind the operation.
Military authorities confirmed that no US personnel were injured during the strike. Details about the type of strike carried out, including whether it involved air or naval assets, were not immediately provided.
The latest action comes just days after another deadly US military strike on Friday in the eastern Pacific Ocean. In that operation, a vessel suspected of trafficking drugs was also targeted, underscoring the increasing tempo of US counter-narcotics missions in international waters.
Since September, US forces have carried out at least 44 such strikes across the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, according to official figures. During that period, at least 150 individuals described by US authorities as narco-terrorists have been killed. The operations represent a significant escalation in Washington’s approach to combating drug trafficking organizations, particularly those operating at sea.
The administration of Donald Trump has strongly defended the strategy, arguing that aggressive maritime interdictions and strikes are necessary to stem the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States. Officials contend that targeting trafficking networks in transit disrupts supply chains and weakens criminal organizations before drugs can reach US borders.
However, the policy has drawn criticism from legal experts, human rights advocates, and some lawmakers. Critics question both the legal justification and the practical effectiveness of conducting lethal military strikes in anti-drug operations. They argue that much of the fentanyl responsible for rising overdose deaths in the United States is smuggled primarily over land from Mexico. The synthetic opioid is typically produced there using precursor chemicals imported from China and India, raising doubts about whether maritime strikes significantly reduce the availability of the drug within the US.
Since the start of Trump’s second term in January 2025, the United States has formally designated multiple Latin American drug trafficking groups as terrorist organizations. This designation expands the legal tools available to US authorities, including the potential use of military force under counterterrorism authorities. Supporters of the policy argue it provides greater flexibility and deterrence, while opponents warn it could blur the lines between counterterrorism operations and traditional law enforcement efforts.
The debate highlights broader tensions over how best to address the ongoing drug crisis in the United States, particularly the surge in fentanyl-related deaths, while balancing international law, regional stability, and human rights considerations.