US Strikes a Vessel in the Eastern Pacific, Killing 2 People in First Attack in Months

Following a two-month hiatus, the U.S. military resumed its strikes on suspected drug-carrying vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Sunday, resulting in the death of two individuals. This marks the first such attack in months. The U.S. Southern Command reported that the military targeted a low-profile vessel engaged in narcotrafficking routes in the region.

Although the military did not provide evidence confirming the vessel was involved in drug trafficking, they emphasized their commitment to disrupting narco-terrorists and eliminating cartel terror. General Francis Donovan, head of the U.S. Southern Command, stated that the strikes aim to disrupt operations, dismantle leadership, and eliminate cartel terror across the region.

The campaign, which began in early September, has seen 67 strikes resulting in the death of 223 people. Out of these, 64 speedboats, three low-profile ships, and a semisubmersible craft have been destroyed. The latest strike comes amid efforts by the Trump administration to extend the offensive to land across multiple Latin American countries, with Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras reportedly agreeing to allow the U.S. to conduct joint military operations. However, Guatemala denies reaching such an agreement.

Ecuador has previously engaged in similar missions with the U.S. in March. The campaign has resulted in numerous survivors, with more than 20 search and rescue efforts undertaken by the military, most of which were unsuccessful. According to data from the Southern Command, there have been 28 survivors, but only three people were ever rescued, including one person in a March strike who was transferred to the Costa Rican Coast Guard, and two wounded individuals later repatriated to Ecuador and Colombia.

The first strike in September 2025 left two survivors who were killed in a subsequent strike, raising concerns among some lawmakers and those who study military law. The White House maintained that the strike was carried out in self-defense to ensure the vessel was destroyed and in compliance with armed conflict laws. However, some legal scholars argued that a second strike killing survivors would have been illegal, regardless of armed conflict.

President Trump has claimed the U.S. is in "armed conflict" with cartels in Latin America, justifying the attacks to curb drug trafficking and overdoses in the United States. Nevertheless, the administration has provided limited evidence supporting these claims of killing "narcoterrorists." Critics have questioned the legality and effectiveness of the boat strikes, particularly considering that the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses typically enters the U.S. overland from Mexico, where it is produced using chemicals imported from China and India.

The Pentagon's inspector general's office has announced it will investigate whether the U.S. military followed an established targeting framework during the strikes, focusing on the six-phase Joint Targeting Cycle, but not on the legality of the operations.