The US military said it carried out airstrikes on three boats accused of drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean, killing eight people. US Southern Command released video footage and said the vessels were moving along known narco-trafficking routes.
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
The strikes are part of President Donald Trump’s expanded campaign against criminal gangs accused of moving drugs toward the United States. More than 20 vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean have been targeted in recent months, with at least 90 people killed.
The White House said the operations comply with the laws of armed conflict and are necessary to stop cartels from bringing drugs into the US. Officials accused Venezuela of playing a role in regional trafficking networks.
US military says strikes on three boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean kill eight people https://t.co/ggWoFbpAUB
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) December 16, 2025
However, legal experts told BBC Verify that some strikes, including a follow-up attack that killed survivors of an earlier strike, may violate international law.
Venezuelan officials condemned US actions, accusing Washington of aggression and economic motives.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
