US Military Conducts 20th Strike on Suspected Drug Boats, Killing Four

The US military carried out its 20th strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel earlier this week, killing four people in the Caribbean, a Defense Department official confirmed Thursday.

“The strike occurred in the Caribbean and four narco-terrorists were killed, no survivors,” the official said in a statement to CNN. It marks the latest in a series of attacks ordered as part of a Trump administration campaign to disrupt the flow of narcotics into the United States.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously announced two strikes on Sunday that destroyed separate vessels, killing six people total. Those attacks were the 18th and 19th in the ongoing operation, with the 20th strike occurring Monday. The Pentagon has not released the identities of the individuals killed, and officials have acknowledged that they often do not know who is aboard before targeting the boats.

According to the Defense Department, the military has now killed approximately 80 people in the series of operations. The campaign has involved the use of fighter jets, drones, and gunships to target vessels allegedly involved in drug smuggling.

The Justice Department told Congress earlier this year that the administration does not need legislative approval to carry out the strikes. However, legal experts have questioned whether the operation complies with US and international law, raising concerns about due process and sovereignty.

The campaign has also strained relationships with key allies. The United Kingdom recently halted intelligence sharing with the US on suspected drug vessels, citing concerns about potential complicity in what it considers illegal actions. Colombia’s president also announced his country would suspend intelligence cooperation with Washington until the strikes end.

The Pentagon has not indicated whether additional strikes are planned, but officials say the campaign is part of a broader effort to dismantle international drug networks operating near US waters.

Credit: CNN Newsource
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