On Tuesday, a U.S. military operation resulted in the deaths of two suspected drug traffickers on a vessel believed to be transporting narcotics in the Eastern Pacific.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the mission was conducted "under the order of President Donald Trump" and targeted a boat operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO).
The strike, characterized as "kinetic and lethal," took place in international waters and did not result in any casualties among U.S. forces.
According to Hegseth, military intelligence had identified the vessel as part of a drug trafficking network that exploits Pacific maritime routes to smuggle narcotics into the United States.
"We will locate and destroy any vessels attempting to smuggle drugs into our country. No cartel terrorist stands a chance against our military," Hegseth warned on his official X account, sharing a video of the strike alongside his statement.
Since returning to the White House, Trump's administration has ramped up a strategy of direct force against drug trafficking, authorizing military actions without Congressional approval.
The president himself recently stated that he would not seek a formal declaration of war against cartels, which his administration considers foreign terrorist organizations.
"We are simply going to eliminate those who bring drugs into our country," Trump declared last month during a national security roundtable.
This Tuesday's operation marks at least the sixteenth strike on suspected drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific since January, with an estimated death toll of 66.
Human rights groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Constitutional Rights, have questioned the legality of these attacks. According to Telemundo 31, their legal director, Baher Azmy, argued that "no president can order aerial killings without judicial oversight or a declaration of war."
Despite the criticisms, the Trump administration has reiterated that protecting the homeland and eliminating the cartel threat remains "the top national priority."
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Military Actions Against Drug Cartels
What prompted the U.S. military to strike the suspected drug vessel?
The U.S. military identified the vessel as part of a drug trafficking network using Pacific maritime routes to smuggle narcotics into the United States.
What was the outcome of the military operation?
The strike resulted in the deaths of two suspected drug traffickers and did not cause any U.S. military casualties.
How has the Trump administration responded to legal criticisms?
The Trump administration has emphasized that protecting the homeland and countering the cartel threat remains a national priority, despite legal challenges from human rights organizations.