US Military Strikes Kill 11 in Latin American Drug Boat Attacks

Deadliest day yet in Trump administration's campaign against alleged narcoterrorists

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The U.S. military said it carried out strikes on three boats accused of smuggling drugs in Latin American waters on Monday, killing 11 people. This brings the death toll to at least 145 since the administration began targeting what it calls 'narcoterrorists' in small vessels in early September.

Why it matters

The Trump administration has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs, but has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing 'narcoterrorists.' Critics argue the strikes may be violating international law and human rights.

The details

The series of strikes on Monday targeted two vessels carrying four people each in the eastern Pacific Ocean, and a third boat with three people in the Caribbean Sea. The military did not provide evidence that the vessels were ferrying drugs, but posted videos showing the boats being destroyed.

  • The strikes occurred on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • The administration began targeting alleged 'narcoterrorists' in small vessels in early September.

The players

U.S. Southern Command

The U.S. military command responsible for operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs.

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What they’re saying

“The U.S. is in 'armed conflict' with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs.”

— President Donald Trump (wbal.com)

The takeaway

The Trump administration's aggressive campaign against alleged drug smugglers in Latin America has resulted in significant loss of life, but critics argue the strikes may be violating international law and human rights without clear evidence of the targets' involvement in drug trafficking.