US Military Strikes in Eastern Pacific Kill Eight on Alleged Drug Vessels

US Military Conducts Lethal Strikes in Eastern Pacific

The United States military announced on Monday, December 15, 2025, that it conducted strikes against three vessels in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. The operation targeted what the military described as alleged drug vessels transiting along known narco-trafficking routes.

The strikes were confirmed by US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which stated that intelligence indicated the vessels were engaged in narco-trafficking. Footage of the strikes, showing vessels consumed by explosions, was released by SOUTHCOM on social media.

Details of the Operation and Casualties

According to SOUTHCOM, the strikes were carried out under the orders of US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The military identified the operation as involving Joint Task Force Southern Spear, which conducted 'lethal kinetic strikes' against the vessels.

The eight fatalities were all reported as adult males. The casualties were distributed across the three vessels as follows:

• Three individuals on the first vessel.
• Two individuals on the second vessel.
• Three individuals on the third vessel.

The US military asserted that the targeted vessels were operated by 'Designated Terrorist Organizations' involved in drug trafficking.

Broader Context and Growing Scrutiny

These latest strikes are part of a broader counternarcotics campaign initiated by President Donald Trump's administration. Since early September 2025, this campaign has resulted in at least 95 fatalities and the destruction of more than 25 alleged drug vessels across the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean.

The campaign has drawn significant scrutiny from lawmakers and international observers, raising questions about the legal basis for such lethal force in international waters and potential violations of the law of armed conflict. Concerns have been amplified by a previous incident in September where survivors of an initial strike were reportedly killed in a subsequent attack.

Critics argue that while the US military claims these operations are vital to stem the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States, independent verification of the links between targeted vessels and terrorism or narcotics trafficking has not been publicly provided. President Trump, on the same day as the strikes, signed an executive order declaring fentanyl a 'weapon of mass destruction,' further expanding the government's authority in combating the synthetic opioid.