The Pentagon says a recent U.S. strike in the Caribbean killed three people, bringing the death toll from an anti-narcotics campaign that began in September to at least 70. The operations have destroyed 18 vessels, but U.S. officials have not publicly released conclusive evidence that the targeted boats were carrying drugs. Families and some governments say many victims have been civilians, while the U.S. has framed the campaign as part of an "armed conflict" with cartels. The U.N. has called on the United States to stop the strikes, citing possible violations of international law.
U.S. Strike in Caribbean Kills Three; Anti-Drug Campaign Death Toll Reaches 70
The Pentagon says a recent U.S. strike in the Caribbean killed three people, bringing the death toll from an anti-narcotics campaign that began in September to at least 70. The operations have destroyed 18 vessels, but U.S. officials have not publicly released conclusive evidence that the targeted boats were carrying drugs. Families and some governments say many victims have been civilians, while the U.S. has framed the campaign as part of an "armed conflict" with cartels. The U.N. has called on the United States to stop the strikes, citing possible violations of international law.
12:42, 07.11.2025Security
U.S. Strike in Caribbean Kills Three; Death Toll Rises to 70
U.S. forces struck another suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean on Thursday, Pentagon official Pete Hegseth said, killing three people and bringing the death toll from Washington's controversial anti-narcotics campaign to at least 70.
Campaign overview
The United States began carrying out these maritime strikes in early September, targeting vessels in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific. To date, the operations have destroyed at least 18 vessels — 17 boats and one semi-submersible — though U.S. authorities have not publicly released definitive evidence that the struck craft were transporting narcotics or posed a direct threat to the United States.
Latest strike and footage
Hegseth posted aerial footage on X of the most recent attack, saying it occurred in international waters and targeted "a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization." The clip shows a boat moving across the water before erupting in flames. Hegseth said "three male narco-terrorists — who were aboard the vessel — were killed," without providing further identifying details.
"To all narco-terrorists who threaten our homeland: if you want to stay alive, stop trafficking drugs. If you keep trafficking deadly drugs — we will kill you,"
As with earlier releases, part of the boat in the footage has been obscured for unspecified reasons.
Regional and legal context
The Trump administration has increased U.S. military presence in Latin America as part of the campaign, deploying six Navy ships in the Caribbean, sending F-35 fighters to Puerto Rico, and assigning the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the region.
Governments and relatives of those killed in the strikes have said that many victims were civilians — principally fishermen — rather than cartel operatives. Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has repeatedly accused the U.S. of using the campaign to pressure his government; Maduro, who faces U.S. drug-related indictments, denies that drug cultivation takes place in Venezuela and says his country is used unwillingly as a transit route.
The U.S. has informed Congress that it considers itself in an "armed conflict" with Latin American drug cartels and has described some cartels as terrorist groups to justify the strikes. The United Nations has urged the United States to halt the campaign; U.N. rights chief Volker Türk said the killings occurred "in circumstances that find no justification in international law."
Note: Authorities have not publicly released conclusive evidence tying the most recent struck vessel to narcotics trafficking, and details about the identities of those killed remain limited.