Politics

U.S. Military’s 21st Strike: What’s Behind the Escalation of Drug War Tactics and Diplomatic Fallout?

U.S. military killed three in a strike on a drug vessel. The campaign has killed 83, raising legal issues.

byEditorial Staff

November 16, 2025, 11:00 PM

A U.S. Navy Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopter in light gray camouflage flies overhead against a clear blue sky.

A U.S. Navy military helicopter flying low overhead against a clear blue sky. By Miles Roche / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

The U.S. military conducted its 21st strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing three individuals and bringing the total fatalities in the campaign to 83.

The Justice Department asserts these strikes do not require legislative approval, a position contested by some experts who believe it could violate U.S. and international law.

The ongoing campaign has caused diplomatic strains, with the United Kingdom ceasing intelligence sharing and Colombia suspending it until the attacks cease, both citing concerns over legality.

The Story So Far

The U.S. military is engaged in an ongoing campaign to disrupt narcotics smuggling in international waters, particularly the Eastern Pacific, operating under the administration’s belief that these strikes do not require legislative approval, a stance that has drawn criticism regarding U.S. and international law. This intensified effort to combat drug trafficking has also generated significant diplomatic strains, leading key allies like the United Kingdom and Colombia to suspend intelligence sharing due to concerns over the legality of the operations.

Why This Matters

The U.S. military’s escalating campaign of strikes against alleged drug-trafficking vessels, now linked to 83 fatalities, is sparking significant international controversy, raising questions about the legality of the operations given the Justice Department’s stance on legislative approval and causing diplomatic strains as key allies like the UK and Colombia cease intelligence sharing.

Who Thinks What?

U.S. Southern Command and the Secretary of War assert that the strikes are a necessary and ongoing campaign to disrupt illicit narcotics smuggling, with the Justice Department believing legislative approval is not required.

Some experts contend that the administration’s position on not requiring legislative approval for these strikes could violate U.S. and international law.

The United Kingdom and Colombia have ceased sharing intelligence with the U.S., citing concerns about complicity in operations they deem illegal.

The U.S. military carried out its 21st strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in international waters on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, U.S. Southern Command announced Sunday. The operation, directed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, occurred in the Eastern Pacific as part of an ongoing campaign to disrupt narcotics smuggling.

U.S. Southern Command stated on social media that intelligence confirmed the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling along a known route and was carrying drugs. The command further reported that “three male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed” during the strike.

This latest incident increases the total number of fatalities from U.S. military strikes on alleged drug boats to 83. The military has reportedly utilized a range of assets, including fighter jets, drones, and gunships, in this campaign designed to impede the flow of drugs into the U.S.

The Justice Department has informed Congress that the administration believes it does not require legislative approval for these strikes, a position some experts contend could violate U.S. and international law. The ongoing campaign has also generated diplomatic strains with allies.

Both the United Kingdom and Colombia have taken steps to distance themselves from the operations. The UK has ceased sharing intelligence on suspected drug-trafficking vessels, citing concerns about complicity in strikes it deems illegal, while Colombia’s president has ordered a suspension of intelligence sharing with the U.S. until the attacks cease.

Ongoing Campaign Raises Legal and Diplomatic Questions

The continued escalation of U.S. military actions against suspected drug vessels highlights an intensifying effort to combat narcotics trafficking, yet simultaneously fuels international debate over their legality and impact on allied relations.