US strikes suspected drug boat in Caribbean, killing 3
Deutsche Welle
February 24, 2026
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The US military confirmed on Monday that it had carried out another strike targeting a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of three individuals described as "narco-terrorists." This operation follows a series of similar strikes since September, with at least 44 incidents reported and over 150 individuals killed. The military claims the targeted vessel was linked to a designated terrorist organization involved in drug trafficking routes.
The Trump administration Justifies these strikes as a critical measure to disrupt the flow of illicit narcotics into the United States. However, critics raise concerns about their legality under international law, particularly regarding attacks on vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Since 2017, the US has designated several Latin American drug gangs as terrorist organizations, intensifying its military operations in the region.
Despite these efforts, questions remain about the effectiveness of such strikes. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid responsible for many overdose deaths in the US, is primarily trafficked through land routes from Mexico, where it is produced using chemicals imported from China and India. This suggests that targeting drug boats may have limited impact on the most significant sources of fentanyl.
The broader debate highlights the complexities of addressing transnational drug trafficking. While the US military emphasizes its commitment to reducing the
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/24/2026