U.S. Military Strikes Decimate Drug Vessels in Western Hemisphere

The U.S. military has launched a targeted operation against drug trafficking, conducting 45 strikes since September 2025 that have resulted in the destruction of 47 vessels and 157 casualties, according to a senior defense official.

Targeting criminal activity in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, the strikes are part of an initiative to curb the flow of illegal drugs. While the attacks have reduced drug movement by 20% in the Caribbean and 25% in the Pacific, they have sparked legal and political debates.

Despite releasing videos post-strikes, the U.S. has been reticent about other specifics such as the type of drugs and identities of those killed, raising questions from legal experts and Democratic lawmakers.