The U.S. military says it struck another vessel in the eastern Pacific that officials allege was involved in drug smuggling, killing one person. U.S. Southern Command released video of the attack but provided no publicly available independent evidence. Critics note that at least 105 people have died in 29 known strikes since early September and warn the operations risk extrajudicial killings. The U.S. Coast Guard has also stepped up oil‑tanker interceptions in the Caribbean as part of pressure on Venezuela’s government.
U.S. Military Strikes Another Alleged Drug-Smuggling Vessel in Eastern Pacific; One Killed
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks as President Donald Trump looks on, at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military said Monday that it carried out another strike against a vessel it described as involved in drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Officials reported that one person was killed.
In a social media statement, U.S. Southern Command said intelligence indicated the “low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco‑trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco‑trafficking operations.” Southern Command did not provide independent, publicly available evidence to substantiate the claim.
A video released by Southern Command shows repeated splashes near the side of the craft. After a second salvo the stern appears to catch fire; subsequent splashes hit the vessel and the blaze intensifies. In the final frames the boat drifts with a large patch of burning fuel alongside it.
Previous U.S. footage of strikes on small vessels showed sudden, violent explosions consistent with missile impacts, and some clips appeared to show rocket‑like projectiles descending toward boats.
What officials say
U.S. officials have framed the strikes as an effort to curb the flow of illegal drugs into the United States and as part of pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Human rights groups and some U.S. lawmakers have criticized the campaign, saying officials have offered scant public evidence that targeted vessels were actually smuggling drugs and arguing that the lethal strikes risk amounting to extrajudicial killings. According to available counts, at least 105 people have been killed in 29 known strikes since early September.
Separately, the U.S. Coast Guard has intensified operations to interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea as part of the administration’s broader campaign to increase pressure on the Maduro government.
