The U.S. military executed a lethal strike in international waters against a suspected drug-smuggling vessel linked to Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN), killing three individuals allegedly involved in narco-terrorism, according to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The operation, authorized by President Donald Trump, was carried out due to the vessel’s known ties to illicit narcotics trafficking along established drug routes.
Hegset, in a post on X, highlighted the vessel’s confirmed involvement in drug smuggling and its transportation of large quantities of narcotics. The strike, which took place on Friday, resulted in the deaths of three males and no casualties among U.S. forces. Hegset likened the ELN to Al Qaeda, describing the organization as a regional terror network that uses violence to threaten national security.
However, Colombian President Gustavo Petro disputed the identification of the vessel as ELN-affiliated, claiming it was a fishing boat belonging to a ‘humble family,’ which he described as a ‘relic of the sea’ from Santa Marta. Petro emphasized the emotional and moral implications of the strike, questioning the targeting of a ‘humble fisherman’ from a historically significant region.
The strike is part of a broader military campaign initiated by the Trump administration to dismantle transnational cartels through force. Previous operations have included strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and off the coast of Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of at least 31 individuals. The administration’s strategy has drawn attention both domestically and internationally, with experts predicting further escalation in the fight against drug trafficking.
The U.S. military also conducted a similar strike in the Caribbean, targeting what Trump described as a ‘very large drug-carrying submarine,’ which resulted in the death of two suspected narco-terrorists and the capture of two others. The survivors have been taken into custody by U.S. Navy forces, according to Fox News. These operations highlight the administration’s intensified focus on countering drug trafficking networks, often linked to terrorist organizations, through direct military engagement.
While the strikes are framed as efforts to protect national security and disrupt drug trafficking, they have sparked debate over the use of lethal force against suspected criminal actors, particularly in regions with complex political and social contexts. Critics argue the tactics could escalate tensions, while supporters maintain they are necessary to combat violent crime and protect U.S. interests.