Since September 2025, the U.S. military, at the direction of the Trump administration, has carried out at least 22 strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean that it alleges were transporting illegal narcotics,
killing at least 87 people. The administration has classified the targeted groups as "narco-terrorists" engaged in an "armed conflict" with the U.S..
Details of the Strikes
Targets: The administration has primarily alleged the boats were operated by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the Colombian rebel group National Liberation Army (ELN), both designated by the U.S. as terrorist organizations. No public evidence has been provided to support these claims.
Locations: The strikes have occurred in international waters in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Death Toll: As of early December 2025, at least 87 people have been killed in the operations. The U.S. has described all casualties as "narco-terrorists" or "enemy combatants".
Survivors: In at least two separate incidents, survivors of the initial strikes were reportedly killed in a subsequent "double tap" strike or were not found after search and rescue efforts.
Controversy and Concerns
The military actions have generated significant controversy and legal questions:
Legality: Experts in international and maritime law, as well as UN human rights advocates, have raised concerns that the strikes may be unlawful or extrajudicial killings, as they did not occur within a traditional war zone and often involved interdictions in international waters.
Congressional Scrutiny: Members of the U.S. Congress from both parties have questioned the President's legal authority to use lethal force and have demanded more information about the legal justification and intelligence used to target the vessels.
Regional Tensions: The strikes have caused friction with South American countries, including Venezuela and Colombia. Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that at least one of the individuals killed may have been a Colombian fisherman, a claim denied by the White House.
Motive: The military buildup and strikes have led to speculation from some analysts and Venezuelan opposition figures that the U.S. has a broader, undeclared goal of regime change in Venezuela.