Another US boat strike in Caribbean Sea kills three, Pentagon says
Al Jazeera
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The United States military has reported another strike in the Caribbean Sea targeting alleged drug smugglers, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. This attack, captured on footage shared by the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), shows a small boat exploding and sinking after being struck by military forces. The operation brings the total death toll from similar US military campaigns against suspected drug-smuggling vessels to approximately 150 people since the initiative began last year.
The targeted vessel was identified as traveling along known narco-trafficking routes and actively engaged in drug operations, according to SOUTHCOM. The statement also claimed that no US personnel were injured during the strike, which it described as targeting "narco-terrorists." However, human rights advocates have criticized these actions as extrajudicial killings, raising concerns about potential violations of international and domestic laws.
The campaign has faced significant scrutiny since its inception, with critics arguing that the lack of evidence beyond grainy footage from strikes undermines claims that all targeted boats were legitimately involved in drug trafficking. UN experts have previously warned that such attacks appear to be unlawful killings without proper legal process, violating both international maritime law and due process principles.
The US military campaign began in September 2023 as part of increased efforts to combat drug smuggling amid rising tensions with Venezuela. Since then, the operations have expanded beyond the Caribbean to include the eastern Pacific Ocean, with similar strikes continuing even after high-profile events like the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces earlier this year.
While the Trump administration and other US officials assert that these actions save thousands of lives by reducing overdose deaths linked to drug trafficking, there is no clear evidence that the campaign has significantly disrupted the drug trade in the region. The ongoing operations have also raised concerns about US military overreach and its strained relationships with Latin American countries, including Mexico, which is currently focusing on combating cartel violence following the killing of a prominent cartel leader.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/23/2026