Double-tap for a summary: A history of the US' attacks on ‘narco-terrorists'

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have focused efforts on intercepting narcotics shipments and confronting gangs responsible for the opioid crisis in the United States. Their campaign escalated into overseas military actions, resulting in at least 80 fatalities and stirring criticism from both political parties.

The initiative, named Operation Southern Spear, began on September 2 with its first "kinetic strike," reportedly killing 11 individuals allegedly linked to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, according to Trumps posts on Truth Social. Despite official claims that the operations target traffickers, multiple lawmakers raised concerns over potential violations of Department of Defense regulations and international law.

Members of the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees from both congressional chambers held a closed session to examine the details of the September 2 double-tap strike, which reportedly shocked one lawmaker after reviewing military footage. Navy Admiral Frank Bradley and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine attended the briefing.

September Strikes

On September 2, Trump announced a drone strike on a vessel in international waters transporting narcotics. The operation resulted in 11 deaths, with no U.S. forces harmed. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino responded by deploying 25,000 troops along the nations coastal and border regions.

Reports indicated that some individuals on the targeted vessel had attempted to evade the attack after spotting military aircraft. Vice President JD Vance defended the operation, calling it an exemplary military action, while Senator Rand Paul condemned the lack of due process for those killed.

Venezuelan authorities later claimed that all 11 victims were civilians, complicating the operations public perception. On September 15, Trump announced a second strike killing three men on another vessel, accompanied by an unclassified video showing the boat before it was destroyed. Officials asserted the vessel carried narcotics.

Later in September, a joint strike with the Dominican Republic destroyed a speedboat carrying more than 2,200 pounds of cocaine. Authorities seized 377 packages, destroyed 60, and did not immediately release casualty figures.

October Escalation

Throughout October, the administration conducted multiple strikes targeting vessels near Venezuela and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. On October 3, a strike reportedly killed four individuals connected to narcotics trafficking. Trump and Hegseth provided limited evidence linking the vessels to illegal activity, fueling congressional and international criticism.

Further strikes in mid-October killed six and two individuals on separate vessels. By the end of the month, 12 drone strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific had resulted in 32 fatalities. Hegseth maintained that all operations targeted narco-terrorists or gang-affiliated vessels.

November Operations

Military actions continued in November, focusing on Pacific routes and areas near Venezuela. These strikes, which reportedly killed 48 people, intensified tensions between the administration and Congress. Reports alleged that Hegseth instructed a kill them all approach during the initial September strike, prompting calls for accountability and criticism over potential breaches of international law.

December Developments

In early December, a congressional hearing revealed shocking footage from the September 2 attack, showing survivors clinging to debris from the destroyed boat. During the same period, U.S. Southern Command conducted a drone strike in the eastern Pacific, killing four individuals accused of drug trafficking. Officials stated the operation targeted a vessel associated with a gang in international waters.

The administration continues to defend these actions as necessary for combating narcotics trafficking, despite bipartisan scrutiny and ongoing concerns over legality and human rights.

Author: Grace Ellison