US intensifies attacks on trafficking boats in the Pacific and generates tensions

The United States carried out, on Sunday, November 9, 2025, two new bombings against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean, close to the coast of South America. The operations, authorized by President Donald Trump, resulted in the deaths of six people, according to Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. The action intensifies the American military campaign against drug trafficking, which began in September, which has already caused more than 70 deaths. The United Nations (UN) and Venezuela condemned the attacks, demanding investigations.

The operations took place in international waters, as reported by the Pentagon. Hegseth stated that the vessels transported narcotics and were operated by organizations classified as terrorist. The lack of details about the evidence raised questions. Venezuela classified the bombings as illegal, while the UN considered them violations of international law.

• American intelligence has identified trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific.
• Each boat had three crew members, all of whom were killed in the attacks.
• Operations target cartels, but lack transparency, according to critics.

International reactions

Venezuela accused the US of using the fight against drug trafficking as a pretext to destabilize the government of Nicolás Maduro. The Venezuelan president claimed that the actions are an attempt to intervene in his country.

The UN, through its High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, classifieddescribed the bombings as “extrajudicial executions”. He called for an immediate suspension of operations and an independent investigation.

Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.

These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and… pic.twitter.com/ocUoGzwwDO

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) November 10, 2025

Operation history

Since September 2025, the US has carried out nearly 20 attacks on suspected boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. The military campaign was intensified with the sending of warships and an aircraft carrier to the Caribbean.

The Trump administration justifies the actions as necessary to protect national security. However, the lack of public evidence about the targets has generated criticism.

Experts point out that most drugs, such as fentanyl, enter the US through Mexico, not the targeted shipping routes. This raises doubts about the effectiveness of operations.

Escalation of tensions in the region

Colombia also expressed concern about bombings, especially after attacks near its coast. President Gustavo Petro classified the actionsas violations of sovereignty.

Relations between the USA and South American countries are fragile. Maduro accused Trump of promoting a “war against Latin America”.

The American government maintains that the attacks will continue. Hegseth said cartels are comparable to terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda.

The lack of approval from the American Congress for the operations is another point of controversy. Parliamentarians question the legality of the bombings.

American military strategy

The Pentagon has deployed more than 4,000 military personnel to the region since August 2025. The presence of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford in the Caribbean signals a show of force.

The operations are part of Trump’s broader policy against drug trafficking. Designating cartels as terrorist organizations allows for more aggressive military actions.

Criticism of legality

American actions face criticism from international law experts. They argue that attacking vessels without concrete proof of an imminent threat violates maritime conventions. The lack of interception or interrogation of the suspects reinforces the accusations of summary executions.