US soldiers attacked 3 more boats in the Pacific Ocean, killing 8 people
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The US military carried out deadly attacks on three boats believed to be involved in drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday, December 15. According to the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), eight people were killed in the attacks.
This mission, which took place on December 15, was approved by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), SOUTHCOM said that Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out the attacks on boats linked to groups labeled as terrorist organizations in international waters.
Intelligence confirmed that the ships were traveling along known routes used for drug trafficking and were actively moving illegal drugs.
These attacks are part of the Trump administration's "Operation Southern Spear," a new approach to fighting drug use by targeting cartels like they would military groups.
Since the operation began on September 2, 2025, at least 95 people have died.
Intelligence confirmed that the ships were traveling along known routes used for drug trafficking and were actively moving illegal drugs.
These attacks are part of the Trump administration's "Operation Southern Spear," a new approach to fighting drug use by targeting cartels like they would military groups.
Since the operation began on September 2, 2025, at least 95 people have died.
The last attack before this one happened on December 4, when four people were killed on a suspected drug boat in the Eastern Pacific.
This tough strategy is meant to break down the networks the administration says are responsible for the fentanyl problem in the US.
The campaign has led to a lot of debate about using military force in international waters.
The administration has told Congress that the US is in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels, which lets them call those who are killed "unlawful combatants."
This claim is supported by a secret report from the Justice Department, which supposedly allows the military to take action without going through courts.
But some legal experts and Democratic lawmakers are worried that this could lead to war crimes, especially after a September 2 strike where a second attack was used to make sure no one survived the first one.
In response, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a meeting for Tuesday where all senators will meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to get updates and ensure proper oversight.
These military actions are happening as part of a larger effort to pressure Venezuela.
This strategy includes sending thousands of soldiers and a carrier strike group to the Caribbean, along with new penalties for shipping companies and the recent capture of a sanctioned oil tanker near the Venezuelan coast.