US Military Strikes Kill 11 People on Drug Boats to Stop Illegal Smuggling

The US military killed 11 people on three boats on Monday night. This brings the total number of deaths in this drug mission to over 130 people since September.
By Newsroom | Military, USA |

On Monday night, U.S. military forces conducted three separate strikes targeting vessels believed to be involved in drug trafficking. These operations, carried out in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea, resulted in the deaths of all eleven individuals on board the vessels. U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed the strikes, stating that intelligence indicated the vessels were operating on known drug-trafficking routes. No U.S. military personnel were harmed during these operations.

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The strikes are part of a broader U.S. military campaign, referred to as Operation Southern Spear, which began in September 2025. This ongoing operation has involved numerous strikes on vessels suspected of smuggling narcotics. The recent actions have brought the cumulative reported death toll from this campaign to over 130 individuals.

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Campaign Context and Justification

The U.S. administration, including President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has presented these strikes as a critical measure to disrupt drug cartel operations and prevent illicit substances from reaching the United States. The stated objective is to interdict drug trafficking at its source and along transit routes.

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  • The campaign, unveiled as Operation Southern Spear, began with a strike in the Caribbean on September 1, 2025.

  • President Trump has characterized the operations as a necessary component of combating organized crime and preventing drug flow into the U.S.

  • Intelligence gathered prior to the strikes reportedly confirmed the vessels' involvement in drug trafficking.

Distribution of Fatalities

The eleven individuals killed were aboard three separate vessels. The breakdown of fatalities by strike is as follows:

Eleven killed in multiple strikes on alleged drug boats, US military says - 4
LocationNumber Killed
Eastern Pacific4
Eastern Pacific4
Caribbean Sea3
Total11

Controversy and Scrutiny

The U.S. military's lethal approach to alleged drug traffickers has drawn significant criticism and has been a subject of congressional investigation.

  • Allegations of War Crimes: In at least one instance in September 2025, the U.S. military is reported to have deliberately targeted survivors of an initial strike, leading to accusations of war crimes.

  • Legal Basis: The Trump administration has reportedly relied on a classified legal opinion that designates certain cartels and suspected traffickers as "enemy combatants," thereby justifying lethal action.

  • International Relations: The intensified U.S. interventions in Central and South America have reportedly strained relations with some Latin American countries.

  • Disputed Casualties: In some instances, national leaders, such as Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, have alleged that civilian fishermen or citizens of their countries were among those killed in U.S. strikes, casting doubt on the targets' alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

Broader Operational Scope and Timeline

Operation Southern Spear has seen sustained activity since its commencement.

  • The operation involves the deployment of Navy warships and personnel to the Caribbean.

  • Strikes have occurred with a reported frequency of nearly every week since the operation's initiation.

  • The total death toll attributed to the campaign since September 2025 is reported to be at least 135 individuals, with some sources indicating over 140 killed.

  • The operation has also seen the capture of individuals, with two reportedly extradited.

  • A U.S. Marine, who fell overboard during operations related to the campaign, is noted as the first known American casualty.

Open Questions

  • What specific intelligence confirmed the drug trafficking activities of the eleven individuals killed in the recent strikes?

  • What is the precise legal framework and authority under which these lethal strikes are being conducted, particularly concerning individuals not directly engaged in armed conflict?

  • Have independent investigations verified the status of all individuals targeted as actively participating in drug trafficking operations?

  • What measures, if any, are in place to differentiate between genuine traffickers and potentially innocent individuals, such as fishermen, who may be in the vicinity of targeted vessels?

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many people died in the US military strikes on Monday night?
On Monday night, the US military attacked three boats and killed 11 people. These people were suspected of moving illegal drugs through the water.
Q: What is Operation Southern Spear and why is the US military using it?
Operation Southern Spear is a military mission that started in September 2025 to stop drug cartels. The US government uses it to destroy boats that they believe are carrying drugs to America.
Q: Where did the US military strikes on drug boats happen this week?
The strikes happened in two different areas of the ocean. Two boats were hit in the Eastern Pacific, and one boat was hit in the Caribbean Sea.
Q: Why are some world leaders angry about the US military strikes on boats?
Some leaders, like the President of Colombia, say the US might be killing innocent fishermen by mistake. There are also worries that the US is killing people who are not in a real war.
Q: How many people have died in total since Operation Southern Spear began in 2025?
Since the mission started in September 2025, at least 135 people have been killed. The US military says these people were drug smugglers, but some groups are investigating the deaths.