207 Deaths Reported from U.S. Strikes on Drug Smuggling Boats

SadaNews - U.S. military strikes on boats suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific have resulted in the deaths of 207 individuals since the fall of 2025, according to the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) reported to the German News Agency.

The Southern Command stated that U.S. forces have conducted 63 attacks up until Thursday, destroying 64 vessels believed to be involved in drug smuggling. Among the reported 207 fatalities, there were 190 suspected drug smugglers who were killed during the strikes, according to the Southern Command, and two bodies were later recovered from the waters during search operations, while the search for an additional 15 suspected smugglers was ultimately called off.

These operations have faced criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates, who question the legality of such lethal strikes in international waters under international law.

Since September, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has targeted boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, stating that the operations aim to curb international drug smuggling. The United States has long struggled with the illegal use of drugs and overdose-related deaths, and Trump has repeatedly blamed foreign drug trafficking networks for fueling this crisis, while his administration has labeled this trade as "Drug Terrorism."