WASHINGTON, D.C. – A U.S. military strike ordered by President Trump destroyed a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Wednesday, killing four men identified as members of a Designated Terrorist Organization.
The operation was carried out by the Department of War under the direction of Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Officials confirmed that no U.S. personnel were harmed during the strike, which targeted the vessel as it traveled along a known smuggling route in international waters.
Key Points
- A U.S. strike destroyed a narco-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific
- Four men aboard, identified as narco-terrorists, were killed
- The strike was ordered by President Trump and overseen by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth
U.S. expands anti-narcotics campaign at sea
The strike marks another in a series of recent U.S. military actions targeting drug-smuggling operations tied to terrorist groups in the Western Hemisphere. Intelligence reports identified the vessel as part of a network moving narcotics toward the United States.
Secretary Hegseth said the mission demonstrates the administration’s policy of aggressive maritime interdiction, calling the region “no longer a safe haven” for traffickers.
White House backs lethal enforcement strategy
Administration officials have stated that the campaign aims to deter transnational criminal networks operating beyond the reach of traditional law enforcement. The Department of War has coordinated with allied nations in recent months to expand intelligence-sharing and surveillance across the Pacific and Caribbean transit corridors.
Military analysts note that such strikes represent a sharp escalation in America’s counter-narcotics operations, traditionally handled by the Department of Defense and U.S. Coast Guard.
Continued operations expected
Hegseth emphasized that the Department of War will continue targeting vessels and facilities tied to designated terrorist and trafficking organizations. Recent actions, including strikes on maritime assets in the Caribbean and off Central America, suggest a sustained campaign is underway.
While details of the latest operation remain classified, the strike adds to growing evidence of the administration’s shift toward military-led counter-narcotics enforcement across international waters.