The U.S. military announced on Wednesday that it carried out attacks on three vessels allegedly smuggling narcotics, resulting in three fatalities. The incident marks a continued escalation in maritime operations targeting drug cartels.
Details of the Latest Maritime Strikes
According to a statement from U.S. Southern Command, which oversees operations in South America, the strikes occurred on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. The military stated the three boats were traveling in a close convoy formation along routes known for drug trafficking. A video released by the command showed the unusual grouping of vessels.
The military asserted that the boats had transferred narcotics between them prior to being targeted, though it did not publicly provide evidence to support this claim. The location of the attacks was not disclosed, but previous similar operations have taken place in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
When the first vessel was hit, three individuals on board were killed. Personnel on the other two boats reportedly jumped overboard and moved away from their crafts before those were also struck. U.S. Southern Command stated it immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to initiate search and rescue efforts for those in the water. The command's update did not confirm if any survivors were rescued.
Escalating Campaign and Political Context
This latest action brings the total number of known boat strikes to 33 since early September 2025, with the death toll now standing at a minimum of 110 people, according to figures released by the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has defended the aggressive tactics as a necessary measure to stem the flow of drugs into the United States, framing the effort as an "armed conflict" with cartels.
The decision to call in the Coast Guard for potential rescue is notable. It follows intense scrutiny after a controversial incident in early September where U.S. forces conducted a follow-up strike on a disabled boat, killing survivors of an initial attack. That event sparked debate, with some Democratic lawmakers and legal experts calling it a potential crime, while the Trump administration and some Republicans maintained its legality.
Broader Regional Pressure Campaign
These maritime strikes are part of a wider pressure campaign that includes a military buildup in the region. A key focus of this strategy is applying pressure on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who faces U.S. charges of narco-terrorism.
In a significant related escalation, it was reported last week that the CIA was behind a drone strike on a docking area in Venezuela believed to be used by drug cartels. This was described as the first known direct U.S. operation on Venezuelan soil since the campaign of strikes began in September, indicating a broadening of the operational theatre.
The ongoing campaign continues to raise complex questions about international law, military engagement in drug interdiction, and the humanitarian consequences of such kinetic actions in international waters.
