The U.S. military announced what officials called its 15th strike on a vessel linked to narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean, saying the action was taken "at the direction of President Trump" and that several suspected smugglers were killed. Reports conflict on the exact death toll; defense officials say at least 64 people have died across the wider campaign. Senate Democrats have demanded that the administration disclose its legal justifications, related opinions, and the list of groups deemed targetable under the president’s directive. The operation has intensified debate about the legal authority and congressional oversight of overseas strikes against transnational criminal organizations.
U.S. Intensifies Maritime Campaign Against 'Narco‑Terror' — 15th Strike in Caribbean Prompts Calls for Legal Clarity
The U.S. military announced what officials called its 15th strike on a vessel linked to narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean, saying the action was taken "at the direction of President Trump" and that several suspected smugglers were killed. Reports conflict on the exact death toll; defense officials say at least 64 people have died across the wider campaign. Senate Democrats have demanded that the administration disclose its legal justifications, related opinions, and the list of groups deemed targetable under the president’s directive. The operation has intensified debate about the legal authority and congressional oversight of overseas strikes against transnational criminal organizations.
17:34, 02.11.2025Security
U.S. military announces 15th strike on alleged "narco‑terror" vessel in the Caribbean
The U.S. military carried out another strike on a vessel it says was linked to drug‑trafficking and operated by a group described as a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO), War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Saturday. Hegseth said the action was taken "at the direction of President Trump." Officials reported that three suspected smugglers were killed in the strike, while at least one media report cited a different fatality count.
"This vessel—like EVERY OTHER—was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco‑trafficking route, and carrying narcotics," Hegseth wrote on X.
Hegseth framed the strikes as part of a defensive campaign to stop drugs reaching U.S. shores, saying: "These narco‑terrorists are bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans at home — and they will not succeed." He added that the military would continue to "track them, map them, hunt them, and kill them," comparing the campaign's approach to past operations against al Qaeda.
Saturday’s action was described as the 15th publicly known U.S. operation targeting suspected narco‑terror groups in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September. Defense officials familiar with the campaign say the operations have resulted in at least 64 deaths overall.
The White House has resisted calls to disclose more details about the legal basis for the strikes, including which organizations are being targeted and what authorities are being used to authorize lethal force. In response, Senate Democrats renewed demands for transparency, sending a letter that asks for the administration’s legal rationale, any related legal opinions, and a list of entities the president has deemed targetable under his directive.
"We also request that you provide all legal opinions related to these strikes and a list of the groups or other entities the President has deemed targetable," the senators wrote.
The letter was signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other senior Democrats, who accused the administration of selectively sharing inconsistent information with some lawmakers while excluding others. Separately, bipartisan leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee released previously undisclosed letters sent to Hegseth in late September and early October pressing the Pentagon to describe the strikes' legal framework and to identify which cartels, if any, have been formally designated as terrorist organizations.
The developments raise significant legal and oversight questions about the scope of U.S. military action against transnational criminal groups, the criteria used to designate targetable organizations, and how civilian oversight and congressional notification are being handled.