In a significant escalation of its anti-drug trafficking efforts, the United States military conducted a targeted strike on a vessel in the Caribbean suspected of involvement in illegal narcotics trade. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the operation on Sunday, revealing that the strike occurred on Friday. According to Hegseth, the ship was linked to a Colombian terrorist organization and was found carrying substantial quantities of narcotics. The operation resulted in the deaths of three individuals aboard the vessel, with no reported casualties among US forces.
This strike marks the seventh in a series of recent US military actions against ships allegedly engaged in drug trafficking. Hegseth, in a post on X, likened the cartels to ‘the Al Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere,’ accusing them of using violence and terrorism to threaten national security and harm American citizens. He emphasized that the US military would treat these organizations as terrorists, vowing to ‘hunt and kill’ them.
The operation is part of the Trump administration’s increasingly aggressive stance against South American countries involved in drug smuggling. President Trump has recently authorized the CIA to operate in Venezuela and is reportedly considering military action within the country as part of a broader campaign to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Additionally, Trump has publicly clashed with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who accused the US of killing an innocent Colombian national during a previous strike. In response, Trump announced the cancellation of all US payments and subsidies to Colombia.
This latest strike underscores the administration’s commitment to combating drug trafficking but also highlights the growing tensions between the US and South American nations. The situation remains fluid, with further updates expected.