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U.S. Strikes on Drug-Running Boats
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that American forces carried out two more lethal strikes on suspected drug-running boats in the eastern Pacific, killing six people.
“The US military has killed six more people in strikes on drug-running boats in the eastern Pacific, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced... conducted in international waters. This brings the total death toll... to 76.”
Multiple outlets say the attacks hit two boats, reportedly three people on each, and were conducted in international waters.
Officials frame the targets as vessels linked to designated terrorist organizations moving narcotics along known trafficking routes.
Across 19 strikes since September, the campaign has destroyed about 20 boats and left 75–76 people dead.
No U.S. personnel were harmed during these operations.
Some outlets note the Pentagon released video of the engagements.
US Lethal Strikes on Latin America
Washington describes the campaign as part of an “armed conflict” against Latin American drug cartels and terrorist groups.
The government labels those targeted as “unlawful combatants” and asserts the legal authority to conduct lethal strikes without judicial review.
Multiple outlets stress that the government has not publicly provided evidence of narcotics on the boats or confirmed cartel affiliations.
Forces sometimes strike without knowing who is aboard the vessels.
The UN human rights chief has condemned the actions as extrajudicial killings in violation of international law.
Some families and experts say many of the dead were fishermen.
Geopolitical Context of Strikes
The strikes are entangled with broader regional geopolitics, especially tensions with Venezuela.
“The strikes... target groups labeled as terrorist organizations by the U.S.... Venezuela views the U.S. military presence and operations as attempts to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro... deploying Navy ships, F-35 jets, and authorizing covert CIA operations in Venezuela.”
Several outlets say the campaign functions as pressure on President Nicolás Maduro amid U.S. accusations of narcoterrorism and increased deployments, from Navy ships and F-35s to a carrier strike group.
Some coverage references CIA covert authorities.
Venezuela and allied critics portray the operations as illegal aggression and an attempted overthrow.
U.S. officials and some lawmakers dispute regime-change intent even as the Senate blocked efforts to limit strike authority.
Conflicting Reports on Attacks
Accounts differ on the timing, totals, and operational details of the attacks.
Folha de S.Paulo dates the attacks to Sunday, June 9.
Mezha.net places them on November 9, 2025.
Fakti.bg cites November 10, 2025 as the date of the attacks.
Several outlets report the death toll as 76, while others say at least 75.
Some sources claim all six died in the latest strikes.
Other reports describe survivors and detentions in parts of the campaign.
Outlets agree that many operations took place in international waters.
Past targets have included a "narco sub."
Debate on Drug Campaign Legality
Debate over purpose and legality mirrors a split in narratives about the drug trade and security.
“These operations are part of President Donald Trump's efforts to significantly reduce the illicit drug supply... the United Nations... has called for an end to the strikes, stating there is 'no justification in international law' for them.”
The White House frames the campaign as protecting the homeland and reducing the illicit drug supply.
Critics counter that there is no justification in international law, that ferrying drugs is not a capital offense, and that many victims may have been fishermen.
Western Alternative coverage stresses that cocaine mostly flows via Venezuela from Colombia while fentanyl comes from Mexico and China, challenging the Venezuela-centric focus of some strike rhetoric.
Meanwhile, Congress narrowly failed to curb presidential latitude on Venezuela actions.