U.S. Strikes Eastern Pacific Drug Boats; Casualties and Survivor

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Tuesday, October 28th, 2025

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WASHINGTON, October 28 – The U.S. military conducted three strikes on four vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday, resulting in 14 deaths and one reported survivor, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on social media. The strikes were aimed at vessels alleged to be trafficking narcotics along established smuggling routes, Hegseth said.
According to the Defense Department statement, the four boats were struck during three separate operations after being identified by U.S. intelligence as carrying illicit drugs and armed personnel. “A total of 14 narco-terrorists were killed during the three strikes, with one survivor,” Hegseth wrote, adding that all operations took place in international waters and that no U.S. forces were harmed.
The department said the survivor was located during immediate search-and-rescue efforts conducted by U.S. personnel; Mexican authorities subsequently assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue. Officials have not released further details about the survivor’s condition or subsequent custody.
President Donald Trump, currently on a multi-day trip to Asia, has stated the administration will brief Congress on the strikes but does not intend to seek a formal declaration of war. The White House characterized the operations as part of an intensified campaign to disrupt narcotics networks operating in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
The strikes drew swift domestic criticism. Senator Rand Paul labeled the actions “extrajudicial killings,” saying Congress had not been adequately informed. Labor and policy groups have similarly raised concerns about the legal and diplomatic implications of the campaign, and analysts warn that escalation could strain relations with regional partners.
The Pentagon said it will provide additional information to lawmakers and the public as after-action reviews conclude. Investigations into the operations, as well as coordination with regional authorities, remain ongoing.