The United States military conducted an overnight strike on October 23, 2025, targeting a vessel in the Caribbean Sea suspected of involvement in drug trafficking. The operation led to the deaths of six individuals identified by the U.S. Department of Defense as "narco-terrorists." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike, which marks the first nighttime operation of its kind in the current anti-drug campaign initiated by President Donald Trump in September 2025.

The vessel was reportedly operated by the Tren de Aragua gang, a criminal organization based in Venezuela and Colombia. While the Pentagon has not disclosed specific evidence of illicit cargo aboard the boat, aerial footage released by the Department of Defense shows the vessel being destroyed during the strike. This operation brings the total number of U.S. attacks on suspected drug vessels to eleven, with approximately 40 individuals killed across the Caribbean and Pacific regions.

The Trump administration has framed these military actions as part of an "armed conflict" against Latin American drug cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Critics, including legal experts and Democratic lawmakers, have raised concerns about the legality of these strikes, particularly in international and sovereign waters, arguing that they may violate international law and due process rights. Additionally, some international leaders have condemned the operations, with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressing strong opposition.

Despite the controversy, President Trump has signaled the possibility of expanding the campaign to include land-based operations, asserting that no formal declaration of war is necessary. The administration maintains that these actions are essential national defense measures aimed at combating drug-related threats to the United States.

As the situation develops, legal scholars and lawmakers continue to debate the balance between national security interests and adherence to international legal norms.

Sources: Reuters, Time, New York Post