US Strike on Drug-Smuggling Vessel in Caribbean Leaves Three Killed

Washington, DC [US] : The US military carried out another strike in the Caribbean Sea targeting accused drug smugglers, killing three people, according to the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

The Southern Command provided footage of the operation, which showed a small boat exploding and bursting into flames after being damaged. The Command stated that intelligence confirmed that the vessel was operating along known drugs trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was involved in drug smuggling operations.

“On February 23, under the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a devastating kinetic strike on a vessel controlled by Designated Terrorist Organisations. According to intelligence, the vessel was travelling recognised narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was carrying out narco-trafficking operations. Three male narco-terrorists were slain in this incident. “No US military personnel were injured,” they stated in a post on X.

The latest operation increases the total death toll from US boat attacks, which began in September of last year, to approximately 150. The campaign began in the Caribbean as the US increased military presence in the region amid tensions with Venezuela, but it has since expanded to include strikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean, according to Al Jazeera.

Also reads : Us-iran negotiations : US and Iran Set to Resume best Nuclear Talks in Geneva on February 26

Human rights organisations have denounced the program, claiming that targeting suspected drug smugglers constitutes extrajudicial killings and may violate international and domestic laws. Last year, United Nations experts stated that the attacks “appear to be unlawful killings carried out by order of a government, without judicial or legal process allowing due process of law.” They also stated that unjustified attacks and killings in international waters may violate international maritime law.

US administration has maintained that the targeted vessels were transporting drugs

The US administration has maintained that the targeted vessels were transporting drugs, despite providing little public evidence beyond strike footage. US President Donald Trump and other authorities have claimed that each bombing saves thousands of lives from overdoses, but it’s unclear whether the campaign has meaningfully impacted the regional drug trade.

The latest strike comes as Mexican police step up their efforts against drug gangs following the assassination of Jalisco New Generation Cartel boss Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, popularly known as “El Mencho”.

Trump has characterised the raids as part of a bigger drug battle in the Western Hemisphere.