U.S. Strikes Another Suspected Drug-Smuggling Boat In Eastern Pacific, Killing Three

The United States carried out another strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific on 15 November, killing three people on board.

This marks the 21st known attack on alleged narcotics-trafficking boats since early September and bringing the death toll from the campaign to at least 83.

U.S. Southern Command released a video of the strike on social media and reported that the vessel was operated by a group the administration has classified as a designated terrorist organisation.

According to the post, intelligence assessments indicated that the boat was travelling along a recognised narco-trafficking route, carrying narcotics, and operating within international waters when it was struck.

Officials added that the action was carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear under the direction of U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

The Southern Command stated that the three men on board were believed to be narco-terrorists, although no additional evidence for the designation was publicly provided.

The Pentagon described the attack as part of its efforts to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs towards the United States.

On Nov. 15, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,… pic.twitter.com/iM1PhIsroj

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) November 16, 2025

The series of strikes on the vessels has drawn growing scrutiny both domestically and internationally. Members of the U.S. Congress, human rights groups and several allied governments have questioned the legal basis for the operations.

Specialists in the law of armed conflict have argued that the U.S. military is not permitted to deliberately target civilians who are not posing an imminent threat, regardless of any suspicions of criminal activity.

Concerns have also been heightened by previous cases, including the killing of a Colombian fisherman, which prompted demands for accountability.

The Trump administration has said it has the authority to conduct the strikes and, according to officials, the Justice Department issued a legal opinion defending the campaign and asserting that U.S. military personnel involved are protected from prosecution.

The latest strike was announced on the same weekend that the U.S. Navy confirmed the arrival of its most advanced aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, in the Caribbean.

The deployment adds around 5,500 personnel to an existing force of roughly 10,000 troops already stationed in the region.

According to U.S. officials, this build-up expands the country’s capacity for further maritime operations and potentially for actions involving Venezuela, as President Trump continues to consider additional measures aimed at increasing pressure on President Nicolás Maduro.

In a separate development, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the State Department would list the Venezuelan group Cartel de Los Soles as a foreign terrorist organisation.

References: Reuters, NY Times

Source: Maritime Shipping News