U.S. Military Strikes Two Suspected Drug-Boat Convoys, Killing At Least Eight

The U.S. military carried out two strikes against convoys of suspected drug-smuggling boats on Dec. 30 and New Year’s Eve, killing at least eight people the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) described as "narco-terrorists." SOUTHCOM posted video of the Dec. 30 operation on X (formerly Twitter) but provided limited operational details.

Details of the Engagements

In the first engagement on Dec. 30, U.S. forces destroyed three vessels in international waters that SOUTHCOM said were "transiting along known narco-trafficking routes." SOUTHCOM reported three people were killed aboard one vessel; crew members on the other two reportedly jumped overboard and distanced themselves before those boats were destroyed. The U.S. Coast Guard shifted to search-and-rescue operations following the incident.

The second strike, announced on New Year’s Eve, reportedly destroyed two additional boats and killed five people. SOUTHCOM did not disclose precise locations for either engagement.

Wider Context

The strikes come as the Pentagon has increased forces in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific amid broader U.S. pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The White House has accused Maduro of facilitating drug trafficking operations bound for the United States.

Since September, the Department of Defense has carried out a campaign of so-called "kinetic strikes" against suspected drug-smuggling vessels; U.S. officials say those operations have killed more than 100 people to date. The strikes have prompted debate in Washington—largely along partisan lines—about the legal and policy limits of presidential authority in authorizing use of force.

The administration has also pursued other measures against Venezuela, including seizing sanctioned oil tankers to further pressure the Maduro government economically. SOUTHCOM and other U.S. agencies have released only limited information about the incidents, and further details remain scarce as investigations and after-action reviews continue.

Note: Casualty figures and operational details are based on SOUTHCOM announcements and have not been independently verified by additional on-the-record sources.