US Military Action Against Alleged Drug Trafficking in the Pacific

Thu Oct 23 2025 23:12:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Pentagon confirms a US strike on a drug-laden vessel in the Pacific, marking a significant escalation in counter-narcotics efforts, with two fatalities reported aboard the targeted ship.

In a recent military operation, US forces have conducted a strike on a vessel suspected of transporting drugs in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in two fatalities. This event marks the first US strike in the Pacific against suspected drug trafficking since September 2, amidst increasing tensions between the US and Colombia.

US forces have struck another vessel alleged to be carrying drugs, this time in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Pentagon has confirmed.

According to defense secretary Pete Hegseth, two people on board the vessel were killed. No US forces were harmed.

The vessel was known to US intelligence and was believed to be carrying drugs along a known trafficking route in international waters, Hegseth added.

The strike marks the eighth US strike against suspected drug boats since 2 September - but the first in the Pacific.

Video footage appears to show a long blue speed boat moving through the water before being struck by US ordinance.

Narco-terrorists intending to bring drugs to our shores will find no safe harbour anywhere in our hemisphere, Hegseth stated on X. Just as Al Qaeda wages war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. He further emphasized that there would be no refuge or forgiveness - only justice.

A leaked memo recently sent to US lawmakers indicated that the Trump administration acknowledged its involvement in a non-international armed conflict with drug-trafficking organizations.

At least 36 individuals have been reported killed in US strikes on alleged drug boats, including a recent strike on a semi-submersible vessel in the Caribbean.

This new strike comes amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Trump has criticized Petro as an illegal drug leader and denounced the Colombian government's role in the drug trade, stating that the US will no longer offer subsidies to Colombia.

The strike took place in international waters near Colombia, and US officials have thus far released scant information on the identities of those killed or the specific drug trafficking organizations involved.

With around 10,000 US troops deployed along with military aircraft and ships in the Caribbean, the US continues its operation against drug-trafficking networks, as a significant portion of cocaine bound for US cities flows through the Pacific.