The U.S. military conducted two lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Eastern Pacific on Sunday, killing six people, said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth said the boats were operated by “designated terrorist organizations” and were carrying narcotics along a known trafficking route.
Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) November 10, 2025
These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and… pic.twitter.com/ocUoGzwwDO
The attacks are part of President Donald Trump’s expanded military campaign against drug cartels, which the administration now classifies as an “armed conflict.” Since September, 76 people have been killed in 19 strikes that have destroyed 20 vessels, officials said.
The Pentagon acknowledged that targets are often struck based on intelligence links rather than confirmed identities, raising concerns from lawmakers and human rights groups.
Critics argue that suspected traffickers should face prosecution, not military action, and have called for evidence of cartel ties or drug cargo. The Justice Department’s classified finding authorizing the strikes remains undisclosed.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
