US Military Strike Destroys Suspected Drug Vessel in Caribbean

The United States military carried out a precision strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in international waters of the Caribbean on Thursday, killing three individuals on board. The operation, confirmed by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, targeted what officials believe to be a vessel linked to a designated terrorist organization.

Secretary Hegseth announced the strike through a post on the social media platform X, where he stated that the vessel was “operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization.” He did not provide further details or evidence about the group’s identity or the nature of its connection to the vessel.

Hegseth’s post included a 20-second video clip, marked “unclassified,” showing a small boat moving across open waters moments before being hit by a missile strike that triggered a powerful explosion. The video has since been widely circulated online, drawing significant attention and debate over the nature of the operation.

U.S. defense officials have not yet confirmed which branch of the military conducted the strike or what intelligence led to the identification of the vessel. However, initial reports suggest that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb narcotics trafficking and dismantle networks that fund or support terrorist activities in the region.

The Caribbean Sea has long been a critical route for drug smuggling operations connecting South America to North America and Europe. U.S. forces frequently patrol the area as part of multinational operations aimed at intercepting illegal narcotics shipments and combating organized crime.

While the strike successfully destroyed the targeted vessel, the identities of the three men killed have not yet been released. The Pentagon has not issued an official statement beyond Secretary Hegseth’s post, and investigations into the vessel’s origin and cargo are currently underway.

This latest action highlights Washington’s ongoing commitment to countering global narcotics trafficking and preventing the use of maritime routes by organizations tied to terrorism. Further details about the strike and the alleged terrorist link are expected to emerge as U.S. officials continue their assessment.