US Military Conducts Deadly Strikes on Caribbean Drug Trafficking Vessels

The United States military, under the direction of President Donald Trump, has conducted a series of lethal strikes targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug smuggling operations in the Caribbean Sea and South American waters, resulting in over 60 deaths since early September. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed a recent strike that killed three men aboard a vessel linked to a drug trafficking organization, emphasizing that no U.S. forces were harmed during these operations. These strikes are justified by the Trump administration as necessary measures to combat drug trafficking, although they have not publicly provided clear evidence linking the targeted vessels to narcotics or terrorist groups, raising legal and ethical concerns. The operations have drawn criticism from several international leaders, including Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who condemned the strikes as aggressive attempts at regime destabilization, and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who denounced the use of lethal force over arrests. The unilateral nature of these strikes and the exclusion of Democrats from briefings have fueled domestic political debate over the authority to use such force without transparent evidence. Despite the controversy, the military continues its campaign to disrupt drug trafficking routes in the region.