The United States government has reaffirmed its commitment to continue military strikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats operating in international waters, particularly in South America. Speaking from the White House on Thursday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth insisted that the Pentagon would not back down from its mission to disrupt drug smuggling operations that threaten American lives. He noted that labeling major drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations gives the U.S. legal authority to target them as it would extremist groups like al-Qaeda.
Hegseth defended the controversial operations, claiming that each destroyed boat represents thousands of American lives saved from drug-related deaths. “We will treat narcoterrorists the same way we treated al-Qaeda,” he said. “We will find you, map your networks, hunt you down, and eliminate you.” His remarks follow growing international outrage over reports of extrajudicial killings and the lack of transparency surrounding the strikes. Critics, including Colombian President Gustavo Petro, argue that many of those targeted are criminal suspects, not combatants, making the attacks illegal under international law.
Backing the Pentagon’s stance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the cartels as “the Al-Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere.” Rubio said the criminal networks are supported by Venezuelan officials, particularly the so-called Cartel de los Soles, allegedly run by President Nicolas Maduro, and that these groups operate across both the Caribbean and Pacific regions. He emphasized that the U.S. government would continue its campaign, saying President Trump had decided that direct action was necessary to protect Americans from the growing drug crisis.
Meanwhile, Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees these maritime operations, announced his early retirement just a year after assuming the post. His sudden departure sparked concerns from lawmakers, including Rep. Adam Smith, a top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. Smith criticized the lack of oversight and transparency, warning that the administration’s actions could lead to serious diplomatic and legal fallout.
Adding to the controversy, United Nations human rights experts condemned the U.S. strikes, calling them a “dangerous escalation” that undermines international peace and security. The experts warned that the attacks violate global laws and could worsen tensions in the Caribbean and Latin American regions, urging Washington to pursue lawful and transparent measures to combat drug trafficking instead of unilateral military actions.
