Washington, D.C. – The U.S. military has carried out its 20th strike since September against an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in international waters, this time in the Caribbean Sea, killing four people on board, according to Pentagon officials. The strike marks another escalation in the Biden administration’s intensified maritime anti-drug campaign.
U.S. Strike Targets Vessel in Caribbean Sea
Pentagon officials confirmed that the latest strike targeted a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean on Monday. The operation is part of what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described as “Operation Southern Spear,” a growing U.S. military effort aimed at disrupting maritime smuggling networks.
Since the campaign began in September, U.S. forces have destroyed at least 21 vessels across 20 separate strikes, resulting in more than 80 fatalities.
Despite the frequency of the operations, the Pentagon has not released detailed evidence showing the vessels were smuggling narcotics or posing an imminent threat.
Investigation and International Concerns
Senior officials have previously referred to the targets as “narco-terrorists” operating along known drug-smuggling corridors. However, international law experts and human rights organizations are questioning the legality of the strikes, especially given the lack of publicly shared intelligence to justify the deadly force used.
U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk this week called for an independent investigation, citing “strong indications” that the operations may constitute extrajudicial killings.
These concerns have intensified as the U.S. expands its military presence in the region.
Expanding Military Activity in the Caribbean
The Department of Defense confirmed that the USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, has entered the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. The carrier is accompanied by several other warships as part of a broader military buildup.
The deployment comes as top Pentagon officials presented President Biden with updated operational options regarding Venezuela, including potential land-based military strikes, according to sources familiar with recent White House briefings. No final decision has yet been announced.
Regional Reaction and Rising Tensions
The growing U.S. military footprint has sparked alarm across Latin America. Venezuela announced a massive nationwide military drill involving an estimated 200,000 forces, signaling a sharp rise in regional tensions.
Many observers—and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro himself—believe the U.S. pressure campaign is intended to force Maduro from power.
In a recent “60 Minutes” interview, President Biden was asked if Maduro’s “days were numbered.”
“I would say yeah. I think so, yeah,” the president responded.
Maduro has repeatedly denied U.S. claims that he supports drug-smuggling groups.
Diplomatic Fallout: Colombia Cuts Intelligence Sharing
Meanwhile, diplomatic relations took a hit this week when Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered his government to suspend all intelligence sharing with the U.S., stating the freeze would remain “as long as the missile attacks on boats in the Caribbean continue.”
Colombia—traditionally one of the United States’ strongest regional allies—has grown increasingly critical of the use of lethal force in international waters, adding further strain to the hemisphere’s political climate.
Conclusion
With 80 deaths, destroyed vessels, rising political friction, and intensifying military maneuvers, the U.S. maritime strike campaign is shaping into one of the most controversial foreign policy actions of the year. As calls for transparency and legal review grow, the administration faces mounting pressure to clarify the justification and scope of Operation Southern Spear.
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