The United States military has announced the killing of five more individuals accused of drug trafficking in a series of naval strikes, pushing the total death count from its controversial maritime campaign to over one hundred.
Latest Strikes Target Alleged Narco-Vessels
According to a statement posted on X by the US Southern Command on 18 December 2025, the latest operation targeted two vessels in international waters. The command asserted the boats were "engaged in narco-trafficking operations." The strikes resulted in three fatalities on the first vessel and two on the second.
This brings the overall death toll from the campaign, which began in September, to at least 104 people, based on a tally by Agence France-Presse using official data. The Trump administration has conducted these strikes in both the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Legal and Ethical Scrutiny Intensifies
The campaign has faced significant criticism and debate regarding its legality and conduct. Critics highlight that the Pentagon has provided no public evidence to substantiate claims that the targeted vessels were involved in drug smuggling.
One particularly contentious incident occurred in September, when the US military launched a follow-up strike that killed survivors of an initial attack on the same boat. This action prompted accusations of potential war crimes from human rights observers and legal experts.
Political Repercussions and Congressional Debate
The use of military force for anti-drug operations, coupled with President Trump's warnings about potential land strikes in Venezuela, has ignited a fierce constitutional debate in Washington. Central to this is the question of whether the administration requires authorisation from Congress for such hostilities.
This debate reached the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, 17 December. Lawmakers rejected two Democratic-sponsored resolutions. These resolutions aimed to halt the maritime strikes and any "hostilities in or against Venezuela" without explicit congressional approval.
The Pentagon has also faced pressure for greater transparency. It has declined to release full video footage of a Caribbean strike that resulted in two deaths, a decision highlighted by commentators including Pete Hegseth.
As the death toll climbs past a grim milestone, the campaign continues to polarise opinion, raising profound questions about international law, executive power, and the rules of engagement on the high seas.
