The United States military said two people were killed in a strike on a vessel suspected of drug smuggling in the Eastern Pacific, bringing the total death toll from Washington’s maritime counter-narcotics campaign in the region to at least 107.
Read More: US military strike destroys suspected drug vessel in Eastern Pacific
In a statement posted on social media platform X on Monday, US Southern Command said intelligence assessments confirmed the boat was operating along established drug-trafficking routes and was actively involved in narcotics smuggling. The military said two men aboard the vessel were killed during the operation.
On December 29, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel engaged in narco-trafficking operations in international waters. The strike resulted in the deaths of two narco-terrorists.
Subscribe… pic.twitter.com/nttCBI0ZJQ
— One America News (@OANN) December 29, 2025
The post was accompanied by black-and-white footage showing what the military described as a “lethal kinetic strike” on a small boat. The video appeared to show two explosions followed by burning debris in the water.
🚨Two killed in a US strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Pacific.
The Pentagon confirms the operation, showing the military will act decisively when criminal networks threaten order on the seas.
This is enforcement. Illegal operations have consequences, and American… pic.twitter.com/K9xpoOZ5zs
— TheCommonVoice (@MaxRumbleX) December 30, 2025
According to US officials, the strike is part of a broader campaign launched in September targeting vessels believed to be transporting illegal drugs toward the United States. Since then, the US military has conducted at least 30 strikes, mostly in the Eastern Pacific, with additional operations reported in the Caribbean Sea.
The campaign has drawn criticism from international law experts and human rights groups, who argue that the United States has not publicly provided sufficient evidence that the targeted vessels were engaged in drug trafficking. Critics say the strikes could constitute extrajudicial killings under international law.
Washington has rejected those claims, maintaining that the operations are lawful and based on credible intelligence. The US military has not disclosed the precise location of the latest strike or the identities of those killed.
Read More: US says Venezuela boat attack lawful amid criticism
The announcement followed comments by US President Donald Trump, who confirmed that American forces had also struck and destroyed a docking area in Venezuela allegedly used by drug-smuggling boats. The incident could mark the first land-based strike in the ongoing campaign.
The US has increased pressure on Venezuela’s government, imposing naval restrictions and intercepting oil tankers. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused Washington of attempting to destabilise his administration under the pretext of counter-narcotics operations.