The United States military has escalated its aggressive campaign against international drug cartels, conducting lethal strikes on three vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean this week. The action, authorized by the US Secretary of War, resulted in the deaths of eight individuals suspected of narcotics smuggling.
Details of the Latest Military Action
According to a statement from the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the kinetic strikes occurred on Monday, December 15. The operation was carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear in international waters. Intelligence indicated the targeted boats were transiting known drug-trafficking routes and were actively involved in smuggling operations.
This incident marks a continuation of "Operation Southern Spear," a policy initiated by the Trump administration that treats powerful drug cartels as military targets. The campaign represents a significant shift in how the US combats the flow of narcotics, particularly fentanyl, into the country.
Rising Toll and Legal Controversy
The death toll from this military initiative has now reached at least 95 people since it began on September 2, 2025. The previous recorded action was on December 4, when four people were killed on another suspected drug boat in the same region.
This strategy has ignited major legal and political debates. The administration has formally notified Congress that the US is in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels. This designation allows them to label those killed as "unlawful combatants," a status backed by a classified Justice Department finding that allegedly permits military strikes without judicial review.
However, legal experts and some Democratic lawmakers have raised alarms about potential war crimes. They point specifically to a September 2 strike where a follow-up attack was reportedly used to ensure no survivors remained after the initial hit.
Oversight and Broader Geopolitical Context
In response to these developments, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced an all-senators briefing for Tuesday. The briefing will feature Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to provide necessary oversight on the operations.
These military actions are not occurring in isolation. They are part of a months-long pressure campaign against Venezuela. The broader strategy includes:
- The deployment of thousands of US troops and a carrier strike group to the Caribbean.
- New sanctions on shipping companies.
- The recent seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
The stated goal of Operation Southern Spear is to dismantle the criminal infrastructure blamed for the devastating fentanyl crisis in the United States. Yet, the use of lethal force against non-state actors in international waters continues to be a deeply contentious issue, balancing national security concerns against international law and human rights.
