The United States military carried out a series of deadly strikes on four boats accused of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing 14 people and sparking widespread international criticism.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of Defense had conducted “three lethal kinetic strikes” against vessels “operated by terrorist organizations engaged in drug trafficking” in the region.

According to Hegseth, 14 individuals were killed in the strikes, while one survivor was rescued and later detained during a search and rescue mission coordinated with Mexican authorities.

Since September 2, US forces have reportedly sunk 14 vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in at least 57 deaths, in what Washington claims is part of its campaign against “narco-terrorist organizations.”

Earlier this month, the White House formally informed Congress that the United States is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” against drug cartels designated as “terrorist organizations.” However, it did not disclose the names of those groups.

The latest strikes have drawn strong reactions from US lawmakers. Senator Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, accused the administration of failing to provide “credible legal justification, evidence, or intelligence” for the attacks.

Regional leaders have also condemned Washington’s expanding military operations. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said the US actions reflect attempts to destabilize his government and extend American military influence across Latin America. Similarly, Colombian President Gustavo Petro recently denounced the killing of suspected smugglers at sea, calling it “an act of murder.”

Meanwhile, the US military presence in the Caribbean has reached its highest level in more than three decades, with expanded deployments and naval patrols across the region.

Analysts warn that the escalating US military operations risk further militarizing anti-narcotics efforts in Latin America, deepening tensions with regional governments, and raising questions about compliance with international law.(ILKHA)