U.S. Conducts Eighth Strike on Drug-Smuggling Vessel

The United States carried out what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called its eighth “lethal kinetic” strike on an alleged drug‑smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific on Tuesday, saying the action was directed by President Donald Trump and killed two people aboard. Hegseth released video of the strike, described the vessel as operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization and labeled those aboard “narco‑terrorists,” comparing the groups to Al Qaeda and vowing there would be “no refuge or forgiveness.” The Pacific attack was the first in that ocean in the current campaign after seven previous strikes in the Caribbean and brings the administration’s reported maritime death toll to about 34. U.S. officials say the operations target illicit narcotics smuggling along known transit routes and were conducted in international waters, and reports say a classified legal opinion has been produced to justify lethal strikes on cartels. Independent verification of targets and details remains limited, and the strikes have provoked regional criticism—most notably from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has accused the U.S. of murder and sovereignty violations.