Pentagon strikes 15 alleged drug boats, killing 64 people in Caribbean and Pacific
15 strikes kill 64 from Sept. to Nov. 2, 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon carried out at least 15 U.S. military strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific from early September through Nov. 2, 2025. He said the strikes killed at least 64 people and called them 'narco-terrorists.' Hegseth compared the operations to past U.S. strikes on Al Qaeda and said the military will 'track, map, hunt, and kill' alleged drug smugglers. Lawmakers demanded greater transparency and questioned the legal basis for the strikes. Democrats led the criticism while some Republicans urged oversight. President Trump deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Caribbean on Oct. 24 to support the operations.
Why this matters
The military is conducting strikes killing dozens of people based on a secret list of organizations and intelligence it won't share with Congress or the public. Lawmakers from both parties can't get answers about legal justification, evidence standards, or constitutional authority for the operations. Sen. Rand Paul called them extrajudicial killings because there's no congressional authorization and no public evidence showing boats were actually carrying drugs. The administration claims drug cartels are unlawful combatants in an armed conflict, but this designation bypasses normal law enforcement requiring evidence and due process. Deploying the USS Gerald Ford suggests long-term operations, but there's no oversight while Congress is shut down. Citizens can demand congressional hearings on legal justification, support resolutions requiring congressional authorization, and push for transparency on classified legal opinions when committees resume operations.
Core Facts
From early September through Nov. 2, 2025, the Pentagon announced at least 15 U.S. strikes on alleged drug‑trafficking boats. The strikes were reported in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. Pentagon statements said the operations killed at least 64 people.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called those killed 'narco‑terrorists' and compared the campaign to operations against al Qaeda. He wrote the U.S. will 'track, map, hunt, and kill' suspected smugglers. Hegseth posted videos on X showing boats exploding after missile strikes. The Pentagon has not publicly released the underlying intelligence tying each boat to drug shipments.
President Trump ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Caribbean on Oct. 24, 2025, to support the operations. The Pentagon said the deployment boosts the U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors. The carrier strike group is reported to include about 5,500 personnel and about 75 aircraft. Officials have described the targets as vessels known to be involved in illicit narcotics transits.
Members of Congress from both parties have pressed for more information about the strikes. Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker and Ranking Member Jack Reed sent letters seeking details that lawmakers say went unanswered. Sen. Mark Kelly said briefed officials could not fully explain the strikes and cited a secret list of about 24 foreign groups the military can target. Sen. Rand Paul called the strikes extrajudicial and said Congress must authorize uses of force, while Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro mobilized civilian volunteers and warned of escalation.
Key Actors
Pete Hegseth
Secretary of Defense
Announced at least 15 U.S. strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats from early September through Nov. 2, 2025. Posted videos and public statements on X and ordered the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group toward the Caribbean.
Donald Trump
President of the United States
Authorized and publicly defended the maritime strike campaign against alleged drug-smuggling vessels. Framed cartels as unlawful combatants and signaled possible expansion of operations beyond the sea.
Roger Wicker
Senator (R-Miss.), Chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee
Co-signed letters with the panel's ranking member asking the Pentagon for its legal rationale and lists of targetable groups. Released those letters publicly after receiving no substantive responses.
Jack Reed
Senator (D-R.I.), Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee
Co-signed oversight letters seeking legal opinions and target lists for the strikes. Said he left briefings frustrated when Pentagon lawyers didn't answer key legal questions.
Mark Kelly
Senator (D-Ariz.), Member, Senate Intelligence Committee
Criticized Pentagon briefers for failing to provide a clear explanation for the strikes during media appearances. Has pushed for more transparency and documentation from the administration.
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