The United States military said it killed three people during a strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday, April 19, as part of its ongoing anti-narcotics campaign in the region.
According to US Southern Command, the operation involved a “lethal kinetic strike” targeting a boat said to be operated by designated terrorist organisations.
The command stated that intelligence indicated the vessel was moving along known drug-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was actively engaged in narcotics operations. It added that three male suspects described as “narco-terrorists” were killed during the strike.
The latest action brings the total number of people killed in similar operations since the campaign began in September 2025 to at least 181. 
The campaign, launched under President Donald Trump’s administration, frames the fight against drug cartels in Latin America as a form of armed conflict against what officials term “narco-terrorists.”
US officials say multiple strikes have been carried out in April alone, reflecting an escalation in the operation despite growing international scrutiny.
However, the policy has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and human rights organisations, who argue that the strikes may violate international law. Critics note that the US government has not publicly provided concrete evidence linking targeted vessels to drug trafficking.
Rights groups have further warned that the operations could amount to extrajudicial killings, as those targeted are not considered lawful combatants and may not pose an immediate threat to the United States.
The US military has maintained that the strikes are necessary to disrupt drug supply routes and curb the flow of narcotics into the country, while investigations and debates over the legality of the campaign continue.
