US military forces conducted a strike on a vessel in the Caribbean on Friday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The U.S. Southern Command, which oversees operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, stated that the boat was traversing known drug-trafficking routes and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. This incident marks the latest in a series of strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels conducted by the U.S. military.
Escalating Campaign Against Narcotics
The strike on Friday adds to a pattern of U.S. military actions targeting vessels suspected of transporting illicit substances. The U.S. Southern Command reported a similar strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific earlier in the week, which resulted in two fatalities and one survivor. These operations are part of a broader campaign, referred to as Operation Southern Spear, which the administration has stated aims to curtail drug trafficking.
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Pattern of Lethal Strikes
Friday's action is not an isolated event. Reports indicate a sustained campaign of lethal strikes against vessels suspected of narcotics trafficking.
Since early September, at least 133 people have died in at least 38 attacks on suspected drug boats. These operations have occurred in both the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
In late January, the U.S. resumed boat strikes after a period of reduced activity.
A video linked to one report shows a boat engulfed in flames following the strike.
Questions Surrounding Evidence and Legality
While the U.S. military has described the targeted vessels as involved in drug trafficking, questions have been raised regarding the public presentation of evidence.
The administration has presented limited public evidence to demonstrate that those killed in Operation Southern Spear are linked to drug cartels.
Furthermore, questions remain about whether each of the targeted vessels actually contained drugs.
Multiple legal experts, including current and former military lawyers, have suggested to CNN that these strikes may not be lawful.
Broader Geopolitical Context
These strikes occur against a backdrop of heightened tensions and complex political dynamics in the region.
The U.S. launched an attack on Venezuela's capital in early January, apprehending then-President Nicolás Maduro. He is currently held in New York on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy.
Maduro denies allegations of drug cultivation in Venezuela, asserting his country is used as a transit route for Colombian cocaine against its will.
Venezuela's President has repeatedly accused the U.S. of seeking to remove him from power.
The U.S. military's significant presence in Latin America is framed by the administration as a campaign to eliminate drug trafficking.
Separately, Senate Republicans voted to reject legislation that would have imposed checks on the President's authority to launch attacks against Venezuela, as Democrats pushed for Congress to play a greater role in the campaign.
Conflicting Narratives on Trafficking Routes and Fatalities
Official statements from the U.S. military highlight the operational context of the strikes, while reports from other sources introduce complexities regarding the exact circumstances and outcomes.
| Source of Information | Description of Strike Context | Fatalities Reported | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Southern Command (Various) | Vessel "transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations." | 3 (Friday strike) | U.S. forces reported no harm to their personnel in Friday's strike. |
| CNN Politics | Strike conducted against "another alleged drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean." | 3 (Friday strike) | At least 124 people killed in strikes as part of Operation Southern Spear. Questions raised about lawfulness of strikes. |
| OPB | Strike on a vessel "accused of trafficking drugs in the Caribbean Sea." | 3 (Friday strike) | Raises death toll from Trump administration's strikes to 133 people in at least 38 attacks since September. |
| The Guardian | Strike killed "three suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean." | 3 (Friday strike) | Comes after a deadly attack on another boat in the eastern Pacific earlier that week. |
| CBS News | Strike on "another alleged drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean." | 3 (Thursday strike) | Brings death toll from anti-narcotics campaign to at least 70. |
| BBC News | Strike on a boat in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that it alleges was carrying drugs. | 2 (Thursday strike) | No U.S. military forces harmed. At least 38 lethal strikes and 128 deaths in the period from September to late last year. |
| NBC News | Strike on a vessel allegedly transporting drugs in the Caribbean. | 3 (Friday strike) | Follows a strike on Monday in the eastern Pacific that killed two people and left one survivor. |
Expert Analysis and Legal Scrutiny
The legality and evidence base for these strikes have drawn considerable attention and raised concerns among legal professionals.
"Multiple current and former military lawyers previously told CNN the strikes do not appear lawful."— CNN Politics
This sentiment suggests a divergence between the administration's justification for the operations and established legal frameworks governing military actions.
Read More: U.S. military strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific kill eleven people
Conclusion and Implications
The U.S. military's repeated strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in multiple fatalities, are presented by the administration as crucial to combating drug trafficking. However, the campaign, particularly Operation Southern Spear, faces scrutiny regarding the public evidence of alleged drug smuggling and the overall legality of the operations. The escalating death toll and the broader geopolitical context, including U.S. actions involving Venezuela, underscore the complexity and contentious nature of these military engagements. Further investigation into the evidence supporting the claims of drug trafficking and the legal basis for these strikes is warranted.
Sources:
NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/us-strikes-alleged-drug-boat-caribbean-killing-three-rcna259028
CNN Politics: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/13/politics/us-strikes-alleged-drug-boat
OPB: https://www.opb.org/article/2026/02/13/us-military-strikes-another-alleged-drug-boat-in-caribbean-killing-3/
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/13/us-boat-strike-caribbean-drugs
CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-strike-alleged-drug-boat-caribbean-kills-3-death-toll-70/
CTV News: https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/us-strikes-alleged-drug-boat-killing-3/
CNN Politics: https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/politics/us-military-caribbean-boat-strike-kills-3
