Intensified Attacks on Drug Traffickers in the Pacific

Recently, the U.S. military has ramped up operations targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Pacific Ocean. As the focus often shifts to Iran and the U.S. Navy’s efforts in the Strait of Hormuz, the Trump administration is pushing forward with Operation Southern Spear. This initiative marks a military campaign against drug cartels, redefining them as “designated terrorist organizations.”

The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) reported on Monday that an airstrike resulted in the deaths of two individuals tied to drug trafficking. General Francis L. Donovan, who leads the Southern Spear Joint Task Force, confirmed that this action was part of an effort to apply pressure on cartel operations.

On Sunday, SOUTHCOM also revealed that two ships were destroyed in the Pacific during air raids, with a total of five fatalities; however, one individual managed to survive the initial strike.

Most recently, on Wednesday, three more suspected drug traffickers were killed in the ongoing military campaign. Since the operations began in September 2025, reports indicate that at least 177 suspected traffickers have been killed.

This military action is part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to tackle drug cartels in Latin America. Before the conflict with Iran escalated, President Trump had indicated a “very strong” ground offensive was in the works to dismantle these criminal networks. The U.S. and Mexico have also enhanced cooperation, with Mexican authorities approving joint training programs with the U.S. Navy SEALs slated to run through April.

Despite the aggressive stance, some critics have raised concerns about the legality of Operation Southern Spear. Legal expert Andy McCarthy previously argued that the assertion the U.S. is engaged in a war with non-state actors, like drug cartels, is misleading. He highlighted that this standpoint contradicts earlier claims that these cartels are part of an operation linked to Venezuela’s regime, rather than simply non-state actors.

McCarthy cited historical contexts, comparing the current situation to post-9/11 conflicts involving non-state jihadist groups, suggesting that such parallels may not hold up under scrutiny.