US Kills 2 in Pacific Strike on Alleged Drug Boat, Expands Campaign

The United States military launched its eighth strike against an alleged drug boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people and expanding its campaign against drug trafficking in South America. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on social media that the strike brought the death toll from the Trump administration’s operations to at least 34. This latest US strike on an alleged drug boat marks a shift from previous operations in the Caribbean, highlighting the growing scope of America’s efforts to curb the flow of illegal drugs from Colombia and surrounding regions.

The alleged drug boat targeted in Tuesday night’s strike was reportedly carrying large quantities of cocaine, one of the world’s most trafficked drugs. Hegseth drew comparisons between the administration’s crackdown on drug cartels and the post-9/11 war on terrorism, describing the cartels as unlawful combatants waging war against the United States. According to Hegseth, “Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people,” emphasizing the administration’s justification for using military force against the alleged drug boat.

A video posted by Hegseth showed a small vessel, partially loaded with brown packages, moving through the Pacific waters before exploding in flames. This visual evidence underscores the intensity of the US strike on the alleged drug boat and the administration’s commitment to targeting drug trafficking networks directly at sea. The Trump administration has refrained from prosecuting the occupants of previous strikes, returning two survivors to Ecuador and Colombia without charges, as authorities in those countries reported a lack of evidence against them.

The expansion of the US strike campaign on alleged drug boats into the Pacific reflects a strategic focus on Colombia, the world’s largest cocaine producer. About 75 percent of Colombian cocaine is smuggled through the eastern Pacific Ocean rather than the Caribbean, prompting the military to deploy significant forces in the region. Analysts suggest that the move also signals a broader geopolitical approach by the Trump administration, which has increased military presence near Venezuela, raising speculation about possible actions against President Nicolás Maduro, who faces narco-terrorism charges in the United States.

Experts say that the US strike on the alleged drug boat highlights the ongoing challenges in combating the global drug trade. While fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the United States are largely linked to land routes from Mexico, the trafficking of cocaine through South American waters poses a continuing threat. The military’s use of strikes against alleged drug boats shows an intensified strategy to disrupt the supply chain before it reaches international markets, signaling a new phase in the Trump administration’s aggressive anti-drug campaign.

The latest US strike on the alleged drug boat illustrates the administration’s willingness to expand military operations beyond traditional areas, demonstrating a focus on South American waters where the majority of cocaine shipments originate. As the campaign continues, the combination of military force, international coordination, and targeted strikes against alleged drug boats is expected to remain a key component of the United States’ efforts to tackle drug trafficking and secure borders.