U.S. Carries Out Another Strike On Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel In Eastern Pacific, Killing 4

The United States carried out another deadly strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Eastern Pacific on Thursday, killing four people.

The attack added to growing political pressure over the country’s ongoing maritime operations, which have now killed at least 87 people since early September.

US Southern Command said the latest strike was part of Operation Southern Spear, the Trump administration’s campaign against what it describes as “narco-terrorists.”

According to the command, the boat was in international waters, was believed to be operated by a designated terrorist organisation, and was travelling on a known narcotics route. The military also released a short video showing the vessel being struck.

The new attack happened as lawmakers were being shown classified video from a separate 2 September incident that has caused major controversy. In that case, a US strike destroyed a suspected drug boat, and a second strike killed two survivors who were holding onto floating debris.

After watching the footage, Democratic Representative Jim Himes told colleagues that the video was one of the most troubling things he had seen in public service.

He said it showed two people in clear distress who were later killed. Republican Congressman Don Bacon said he did not believe the survivors posed an “imminent threat,” which is required under US rules.

On Dec. 4, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and… pic.twitter.com/pqksvxM3HP

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 4, 2025

Some Republicans defended the action. Senator Tom Cotton said during discussions that the men had been trying to right a capsized boat that had been carrying drugs to the United States, suggesting they wanted to continue resisting US forces.

The Pentagon has faced questions over who approved the second strike. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has denied ordering the killing of all survivors.

Lawmakers were told by Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley, who oversaw the mission, that Hegseth did not give such an order. Critics still argue that senior leaders should be held accountable.

The latest strike came as Hegseth faced ongoing scrutiny after reports said the 2 September attack involved two missiles. A source familiar with the case told US media that the second strike happened while the two survivors were trying to climb back onto the wreck to recover drugs. Some lawmakers have questioned whether this could be a war crime.

During a briefing on Thursday, Admiral Bradley and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, showed the video to top lawmakers. Democrats described the footage as deeply troubling, while key Republicans said they believed the second strike was justified.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has continued to defend the operation. Officials say the US is in an armed conflict with drug cartels and that the boats are run by foreign terrorist groups.

Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro has accused Washington of using these operations as a cover for trying to force regime change.

When a conservative commentator wrote online that criticism of Hegseth made him want another drug boat destroyed, Hegseth responded that another vessel had indeed just been sunk.

President Trump has also signalled the campaign may escalate. He recently said the US is preparing to carry out strikes on land targets inside Venezuela, claiming American intelligence knows where key individuals are located.

As pressure increases, the Senate Armed Services Committee has said it will investigate whether the 2 September operation breached international law, making it one of the most significant oversight efforts yet into the administration’s maritime strike campaign.

References: MoneyControl, News18

Source: Maritime Shipping News