The US military has expanded its anti-drug trafficking campaign by conducting lethal strikes on two boats in the eastern Pacific for the first time, killing five people and bringing the total number of such operations to nine since September. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the actions, which mark a significant geographic shift from previous strikes confined to the Caribbean Sea.
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the US military launched a strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of two individuals on board. Secretary Hegseth stated that the boat was operated by a designated terrorist organization and was involved in narcotics trafficking along a known route. The following day, Wednesday, October 22, a second strike in the same region killed three people on another suspected drug-smuggling vessel. Hegseth emphasized that these actions were carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump.
The campaign against drug trafficking began on September 2, 2025, with the military targeting boats believed to be smuggling narcotics. All seven previous strikes had occurred in the Caribbean Sea, making the recent Pacific operations the eighth and ninth in the series. To date, these strikes have led to at least 37 fatalities, according to official statements. Hegseth described the traffickers as “narco-terrorists” and compared their threat to that of al Qaeda, vowing that there would be “no refuge or forgiveness—only justice.”
The legal framework for these strikes is based on a classified opinion that treats drug traffickers as enemy combatants, allowing for lethal force without judicial review. This approach has sparked debate among legal experts, who raise concerns about its compliance with international law and human rights standards. The administration defends the policy as necessary to combat the influx of drugs into the United States and protect national security.
In a related incident last week, two survivors from a strike in the Caribbean were repatriated to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia, rather than being detained by US forces. This decision avoided potential legal challenges regarding the authority to hold individuals indefinitely. The repatriation highlights the complex legal and policy issues surrounding the military’s role in drug interdiction.
The expansion of strikes to the Pacific could increase tensions with neighboring countries and attract international criticism. It signals a more aggressive stance by the US government in using military force to address drug trafficking, a strategy that has been contentious both domestically and internationally. Some analysts warn that this could lead to escalated conflicts or diplomatic disputes.
Moving forward, the US is expected to continue these operations, with Hegseth affirming a commitment to targeting drug traffickers wherever they operate. The situation may evolve with further strikes, potential legal challenges, and responses from other nations. The broader implications for US foreign policy and international drug control efforts remain to be seen, as the administration pursues its hardline approach.