The United States military carried out three separate airstrikes on vessels suspected of being involved in drug trafficking, killing at least 11 people, according to official sources. The operation took place in international waters and was aimed at disrupting what US authorities described as a major maritime narcotics network.
Defense officials said the vessels were believed to be transporting illegal drugs and were operating as part of an organized trafficking route used to move narcotics across sea lanes. Surveillance had reportedly tracked the boats for several days before the strikes were authorized.
The United States said the action was taken in line with international counter narcotics efforts and maritime security operations. Officials claimed the strikes were conducted after determining that the vessels posed a direct threat linked to large scale drug smuggling activities.
No civilians were reported to be aboard the vessels at the time of the strikes, though independent verification of this claim was not immediately available. The identities and nationalities of those killed have not been officially disclosed.
Human rights organizations have previously raised concerns about the use of military force in counter drug operations at sea, warning that such actions risk escalating violence and may lack transparency. Calls have been made for clearer international oversight and stricter adherence to humanitarian standards during such missions.
US authorities stated that further investigations are underway to assess the impact of the operation and to determine whether additional trafficking networks connected to the vessels can be identified. They also emphasized that maritime interdiction remains a key part of their strategy to curb the flow of illegal drugs into North America.
The incident highlights the growing use of military assets in counter-narcotics operations and underscores ongoing tensions over how far states should go in using force against suspected trafficking groups operating in international waters.
