Three suspected ELN drug-traffickers from Colombia killed in U.S. military operation at sea

U.S. Military Action Targets Narco-Terrorists

On Sunday, Army Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed that a U.S. operation resulted in the deaths of three suspected narco-terrorists. This strike targeted a drug smuggling boat linked to Colombia’s National Liberation Army.

The operation, described as a “lethal kinetic attack,” took place in international waters and was approved by President Trump. Hegseth shared details via a post on X, indicating that the vessel was known for illicit drug smuggling and was carrying significant narcotics.

During the attack, which unfolded in international waters, all three male suspects were killed, and, notably, there were no injuries to U.S. forces.

Alongside the announcement, Hegseth shared a declassified video capturing the moment of the strike.

He emphasized that the boat had connections to Colombia’s National Liberation Army, commonly abbreviated as ELN, which is classified as a terrorist organization. Hegseth made a striking comparison, likening the rebels to al-Qaeda.

Hegseth stated, “These cartels are the al-Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere, using violence, murder, and terrorism to impose their will.” He expressed the U.S. military’s commitment to treating such organizations as terrorists, assuring that they would be pursued and eliminated much like al-Qaeda.

This latest airstrike marks a significant escalation in President Trump’s initiatives against drug cartels, bringing the total number of casualties from these military operations to at least 31 since they began last month. The broader goal is to dismantle transnational drug networks through aggressive actions.

Earlier that week, U.S. forces also reportedly struck a “drug-transporting submarine” in the Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of two suspects while two others were captured alive.