The US military conducted lethal strikes against three suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday, December 15, resulting in eight deaths, according to the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
The operation was authorized by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear.
SOUTHCOM confirmed in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that the vessels were operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations and were actively engaged in narcotics smuggling.
“Intelligence confirmed the ships were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were actively engaged in smuggling,” the statement said.
These strikes are part of the Trump administration’s “Operation Southern Spear,” which has marked a shift in US narcotics policy by treating cartels as military targets.
Since the operation began on September 2, 2025, at least 95 people have been killed, including four in a similar strike on December
The campaign aims to dismantle the infrastructure blamed for the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the United States.
However, it has sparked legal and political controversy due to the use of lethal force in international waters.
The administration has formally informed Congress that the US is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, a designation allowing those killed to be labeled “unlawful combatants.”
Legal experts and some Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about potential war crimes.
Specifically, a September 2 strike involved a follow-up attack to ensure no survivors remained after the initial strike.
In response, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced an all-senators briefing for Tuesday, featuring Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Moreover, these military actions coincide with a months-long pressure campaign against Venezuela, including the deployment of troops and a carrier strike group to the Caribbean, new sanctions on shipping companies, and the recent seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
“This strategy is aimed at dismantling organized drug networks while maintaining regional security,” a military source said, highlighting the operation’s broader objectives.
The strikes have intensified debates over US military engagement abroad and the boundaries of domestic and international law.
Meanwhile, the administration continues to defend its approach as necessary to combat narcotics and protect American lives.
