US Strikes on Suspected Drug Trafficking Vessels Kill Five, Search Underway for Survivors

The United States military has confirmed that at least five people were killed after American forces carried out strikes on vessels suspected of being involved in large-scale drug trafficking operations in the Pacific Ocean. The incident has triggered an ongoing search-and-rescue mission by the US Coast Guard, amid growing scrutiny of Washington’s increasingly aggressive anti-narcotics campaign.

According to US officials, the operation was launched against ships believed to be transporting illicit drugs through well-known trafficking routes. In an official statement, the US military’s Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said that three boats were initially struck during the operation.

The strikes took place against the backdrop of an expanded US effort to disrupt maritime drug smuggling networks that officials say pose a serious threat to national and regional security. The Coast Guard confirmed on Wednesday that it had begun searching for potential survivors who may have abandoned their vessels following the attacks.

Southern Command stated that on December 30, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted kinetic strikes against a convoy of three narco-trafficking vessels operating in international waters. The operation was carried out at the direction of US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, with intelligence assessments indicating that the boats were operated by groups designated by Washington as terrorist organizations.

In its initial account of the confrontation, SOUTHCOM reported that three individuals described as “narco-terrorists” were killed aboard the first vessel. The statement added that occupants of the remaining two boats jumped overboard and attempted to flee before subsequent engagements led to those vessels being sunk.

Later on Wednesday, Southern Command announced that US forces had carried out additional strikes against two more vessels, though it did not disclose their exact location. The military confirmed that the total death toll from the operations had risen to five.

Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard said it is actively searching for individuals who may have survived the attacks and been left adrift at sea. Officials indicated that coordination is underway with nearby commercial and military vessels to expand the search area.

Search and Rescue Operation Intensifies

According to information cited by Reuters, as many as eight people are believed to have jumped into the water during the engagements, prompting fears that survivors could still be stranded in the open ocean.

The Coast Guard confirmed that it has deployed a C-130 aircraft to assist in aerial surveillance and rescue efforts. Surface assets are also being used to comb the area, as authorities race against time to locate anyone who may still be alive.

This is not the first time questions have arisen about survivors following US strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels. During a similar operation in October, two individuals reportedly survived a US military strike and were later deported to their home countries, according to sources familiar with the incident.

In another case later that same month, Mexican authorities launched a separate search-and-rescue effort after reports suggested a survivor had been left in the ocean following a US strike. That individual was never located.

Concerns surrounding survivor identification and recovery intensified further after reports emerged that US Marines conducted a follow-on strike against a suspected cocaine-smuggling vessel in September, despite indications that two people may have survived the initial engagement.

Trump Administration’s Intensified Anti-Drug Campaign

The latest incident underscores a significant escalation in the use of lethal force against suspected drug trafficking operations under President Donald Trump’s administration. US officials say that since September, American forces have carried out more than 30 strikes against suspected drug vessels operating in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.

According to US sources, these operations have resulted in at least 110 deaths. The administration maintains that the strikes are aimed at dismantling major drug trafficking corridors and preventing the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States.

However, the campaign has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers and legal experts, who have raised concerns about whether such strikes comply with US rules governing the use of military force and international maritime law.

The maritime operations are also unfolding alongside a broader US military buildup in the region and a sustained pressure campaign against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Earlier this week, President Trump claimed that the United States had “hit” a location in Venezuela where drug-laden boats were operating—remarks that were widely interpreted as suggesting land-based action. Subsequent statements from US officials clarified that the US military did not conduct a land strike in Venezuela.

In the past, President Trump has stated that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, adding another layer of complexity to Washington’s evolving counter-narcotics and regional security strategy.

As the Coast Guard continues its search for survivors, the latest strikes are likely to intensify international debate over the legality, humanitarian impact, and long-term effectiveness of the US military’s expanding role in global anti-drug enforcement.