US forces have carried out another strike on what officials described as a drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, pushing the death toll in Washington’s controversial anti-narcotics campaign to 80, according to US media reports on Thursday.
The United States began launching such operations in early September, targeting boats across the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Analysts argue that the actions amount to extrajudicial killings, even when the individuals on board are identified as traffickers. With this latest incident, US forces have now conducted 20 strikes in international waters.
There remains uncertainty about the exact timing of the most recent strike. CBS News reported that the boat was destroyed on Monday, while The New York Times said the strike occurred on Wednesday, both citing an unnamed Pentagon official. The Pentagon has yet to provide an official comment.
Earlier this month, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk urged Washington to review the legality of the killings, warning that there is “strong evidence” the operations may be “extrajudicial.” Despite the criticism, the US Justice Department has insisted the strikes comply with the law of armed conflict, and American officials have indicated that the campaign will continue.
Tensions in the region escalated on Tuesday when a US aircraft carrier arrived off the Latin American coast, a move that significantly increased Washington’s military presence. Venezuela denounced the development and announced a “massive” counter-deployment in response.
On Thursday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced what he called a new phase of the mission to “remove narco-terrorists,” naming it “Operation Southern Spear.” No further details were released regarding how the next stage will differ from current military activities.
What You Should Know
The latest strike highlights the sharp rise in US-led maritime operations targeting suspected traffickers, which have now claimed 80 lives across 20 actions since September.
While US officials defend the legality of the strikes under wartime frameworks, international bodies, including the United Nations, have raised serious human rights concerns. The growing militarization around Latin America, particularly with the arrival of a US aircraft carrier and Venezuela’s retaliatory measures, underscores the geopolitical stakes.
“Operation Southern Spear” signals that Washington intends to intensify its efforts, even as pressure mounts for greater transparency and accountability.
