US strikes vessel in Caribbean, killing three

Key facts

• The U.S. Southern Command struck a vessel in the Caribbean on Wednesday.
• Three people were killed in the strike.
• The U.S. Southern Command stated the vessel was involved in narco-trafficking operations.
• The U.S. has not provided evidence to support its claims about the vessel or its occupants.
• The U.S. military has conducted at least 38 strikes on alleged drug boats since September, resulting in at least 133 deaths.

The United States military conducted a strike on a vessel in the Caribbean on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of three people, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). SOUTHCOM stated that the vessel was operating along known narco-trafficking routes and was engaged in such operations. A video clip posted on social media platform X showed the vessel exploding after being hit by what the military described as a "lethal kinetic strike."

U.S. authorities have not provided evidence to support their allegations about the boat, its passengers, cargo, or the number of fatalities. This incident is part of a broader campaign by the U.S. military to interdict suspected drug-smuggling vessels. The Trump administration has carried out at least 38 such strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean since early September, with official figures indicating at least 133 deaths prior to this latest strike. President Donald Trump has characterized these actions as part of an "armed conflict" with cartels in Latin America.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has previously denounced these strikes, comparing them to war crimes. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently claimed that some major drug traffickers have ceased operations indefinitely due to the effectiveness of these strikes, though he provided no further supporting information.