U.S. Conducts 15th Strike on Alleged Drug Smugglers in Caribbean, Killing Three

The U.S. military conducted another strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth stated that the targeted vessel was operated by a U.S.-designated terrorist organization but did not specify which group was involved. He emphasized that the vessel was known to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling and was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route.

This operation marks the 15th such strike carried out by the U.S. military in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since early September, bringing the total number of fatalities to at least 64.

President Donald Trump has justified these actions as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States, asserting that the U.S. is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels, relying on legal authority similar to that used in the post-9/11 war on terrorism.

However, U.S. lawmakers have expressed concerns over the legality and transparency of these operations. Senate Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have requested more information about the legal justification for the strikes and details about the targeted groups and individuals killed.

In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Defense Secretary Hegseth, the senators requested all legal opinions related to these strikes and a list of the groups or entities the President has deemed targetable.

The administration has been criticized for selectively sharing information, which has at times been contradictory, with some members of Congress while excluding others.

Earlier, the Republican chairman and ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee had also requested the Defense Department's legal rationale for the strikes and a list of drug cartels designated as terrorist organizations in justification for the use of military force.