Trump administration hits 3 more alleged drug boats in Pacific, killing 8

The U.S. subject says it struck 3 much alleged drug-carrying boats successful the Eastern Pacific connected Monday, the latest successful a run of vas strikes ordered by the Trump medication that person killed astatine slightest 95 radical successful 25 boats.

Monday's strikes killed 8 men crossed 3 boats, the U.S. military's Southern Command said successful a station connected X. It alleged the occupants were "male narco-terrorists" and the boats were "transiting on known narco-trafficking routes successful the Eastern Pacific and were engaged successful narco-trafficking. The onslaught was authorized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Southern Command said.

Southern Command besides posted a 47-second video that appeared to amusement 3 abstracted aerial strikes connected vessels.

On Dec. 15, astatine the absorption of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes connected 3 vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations successful planetary waters. Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting on known… pic.twitter.com/IQfCVvUpau

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 16, 2025

The subject began striking boats successful the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean successful aboriginal September, portion of what the Trump medication has described arsenic a "non-international equipped conflict" against cause cartels that it has designated arsenic panic groups.

The run is progressively controversial, however. Democratic lawmakers and a fistful of Republicans reason the Trump medication lacks ineligible authorization to behaviour the strikes and hasn't provided capable grounds that the boats were really carrying narcotics.  

Meanwhile, a Sept. 2 onslaught that started disconnected the run has drawn scrutiny aft reports emerged that 2 radical successful the vessel survived the archetypal deed but were killed successful a follow-on strike. Democrats who watched a video of the Sept. 2 cognition decried the decision, and immoderate critics person warned that sidesplitting shipwrecked survivors could represent a warfare crime. Republicans person defended the follow-on strike, arguing the survivors whitethorn person inactive been successful the fight.

The vessel strikes are portion of a broader U.S. subject buildup successful the Caribbean and adjacent Latin America, with respective naval vessels — including the USS Gerald R. Ford — and combatant jets shifting to the portion successful caller months. 

The medication has heaped pressure connected the authorities of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of collaborating with cause cartels, and it has besides argued Colombia has failed to ace down connected cause trafficking. Both countries person criticized the vessel strikes, and the Venezuelan authorities has accused the Trump medication of seeking authorities change.