US strike on Pacific drug vessel kills four as anger mounts over attacks on survivors

Deadly strikes fuel Washington’s growing backlash

The United States military has conducted yet another lethal operation in the eastern Pacific, striking a suspected drug-smuggling vessel and killing four people, intensifying political anger in Washington over a series of deadly maritime missions that have now resulted in more than 87 deaths.

According to US Southern Command, the most recent strike targeted a “vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization,” with intelligence indicating the boat was transporting illegal narcotics along a key trafficking corridor. The command also released video footage showing a rapid strike in which a high-powered explosion consumed a fast-moving craft.

The incident occurred as members of Congress were being briefed on classified video linked to a contentious early-September operation. In that case, US forces fired on the remains of a vessel that had already been destroyed, killing two survivors who were clinging to floating debris. After reviewing the footage, Democratic Representative Jim Himes described it as “the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors… one of the most troubling things I’ve seen in my time in public service.” He further noted, “You have two individuals in clear distress… who were killed by the United States.”

On Dec. 4, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and… pic.twitter.com/pqksvxM3HP

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 4, 2025

Republican Congressman Don Bacon supported that assessment, arguing that the survivors did not present an “imminent threat,” a requirement under American rules of engagement. However, Republican Senator Tom Cotton defended the actions as justified, contending that the men had been trying to right a capsized boat “loaded with drugs bound for the United States… so they could stay in the fight.”

The White House and Pentagon have attempted to deflect responsibility from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the decision to target survivors, pointing instead to Admiral Frank Bradley, who oversaw the mission. Himes said Bradley informed lawmakers that Hegseth had not ordered the killing of all survivors, though critics maintain senior Pentagon leaders must still be held accountable.

The Trump administration insists it is waging a campaign against “narco-terrorists,” deploying major naval assets to the region. Yet the escalating operations have triggered diplomatic friction, with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro accusing Washington of using counter-drug missions as a façade for pursuing “imposing regime change.”