US Forces Conduct Airstrike on Alleged Drug Smugglers in Pacific

Thu Oct 23 2025 06:08:28 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a recent operation, US military forces launched a strike against a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the death of two individuals on board. The Pentagon stated this marks the first strike in this region amid ongoing efforts to combat narco-trafficking.

US military officials confirmed an airstrike targeting a vessel believed to be transporting illegal drugs in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of two suspects aboard. This operation is part of a broader initiative to disrupt drug trafficking routes, particularly as tensions between the US and Colombian government escalate over drug production issues.

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 Defence 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 September 2— but the first in the Pacific.

Video of the strike appears to show a long, blue speedboat moving through the water before being struck by US ordinance.

Narco-terrorists intending to bring position to our shores will find no safe harbour anywhere in our hemisphere, Hegseth wrote on X. Just as Al Qaeda wages war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people.

There will be no refuge or forgiveness - only justice, he added.

In a leaked memo recently sent to US lawmakers, the Trump administration said it determined it was involved in a non-international armed conflict with drug-trafficking organizations.

At least 34 people have been killed in the American strikes on alleged drug boats, including a recent strike against a semi-submersible in the Caribbean.

Two men survived a strike last week, and were repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador. Ecuador's government later released one, identified as Andrés Fernando Tufiño, citing no evidence of wrongdoing. The other, from Colombia, reportedly remains hospitalized.

US President Donald Trump and administration officials have frequently justified these strikes as necessary counter-narcotics measures, arguing that various drug-trafficking organizations have been designated as terrorist organizations by the US.

Citing a defence official, CBS reported that this latest strike took place in international waters near Colombia. Tension is rising between the Trump administration and Colombian President Gustavo Petro regarding drug production.

On Sunday, Trump labeled Petro an illegal drug leader who is strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs, in big and small fields, all over Colombia.\p>

Trump further declared that the US will no longer provide subsidies to Colombia, a long-standing ally in Latin America.

Both Colombia and Ecuador host extensive Pacific coastlines, utilized by cartels to funnel drugs northward to the US via Central America and Mexico.

Drug Enforcement Agency estimates indicate that the majority of cocaine destined for American cities is trafficked through the Pacific.

While recent operations have focused on the Caribbean for most strikes, US officials noted emerging trends of increased drug seizure activity in these waters.

US officials have disclosed limited information on the identities of those killed in the strikes or the specific drug trafficking organizations purportedly involved.

Approximately 10,000 US troops, alongside numerous military aircraft and ships, have been deployed to the Caribbean as part of the operation.