U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced two additional airstrikes against alleged drug smuggling vessels in international waters on Monday, bringing the total number of Trump administration airstrikes to 19. The attacks resulted in the deaths of six drug traffickers, with no U.S. casualties. Hegseth claimed the strikes targeted vessels associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, part of an ongoing effort to combat narco-terrorism.
Footage released by the Pentagon showed the vessels exploding into flames and debris, illustrating the destructive impact of the strikes. Hegseth stated that the attacks were carried out in response to intelligence indicating that the vessels were involved in narcotics trafficking and operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. The strikes, conducted in international waters, were justified as part of an effort to protect the homeland from cartel-terrorist threats.
At least 72 suspected narco-terrorists have been killed in recent strikes, with three surviving. The Trump administration has established a new counter-narcotics Joint Task Force operating near the U.S. Southern Command, coordinating air, maritime, and special-operations missions across the region. This task force represents the largest U.S. military effort in the Caribbean in decades, aimed at crushing the cartels, stopping the flow of narcotics, and ensuring America’s security.
Supporters of the administration, including top Democrats, have acknowledged the strikes and criticized the Biden administration for not taking sufficient action against leaders like Maduro in the region. The continued escalation of military efforts against narco-terrorism reflects broader strategic priorities in the Western Hemisphere, with experts predicting further developments as the Trump administration seeks to reshape U.S. counter-narcotics policy.
The Department of Defense emphasized that these strikes were conducted in strict compliance with international law and in international waters, underscoring the U.S. commitment to addressing transnational crime while maintaining legal and diplomatic boundaries. The Department of Defense also noted that such operations are part of a broader strategy to disrupt criminal networks that threaten national security and public safety.