US Military Strikes Kill 3 in Caribbean

Escalating military operations in the region raise legal and ethical concerns.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The US military has significantly increased its operations in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, conducting numerous strikes against vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking. These attacks, which have resulted in at least 133 deaths since September 2025, are drawing intense scrutiny from international law and human rights experts who argue the US may be engaging in extrajudicial executions without due process.

Why it matters

The US military's actions in the region raise critical questions about the legality and ethical implications of these operations, as well as the potential for increased regional tensions and the destabilization of drug trafficking routes.

The details

The US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), headquartered in Doral, Florida, is responsible for these military operations, which it claims target 'narco-terrorists' involved in drug trafficking. However, the lack of evidence provided and the use of lethal force without judicial oversight have fueled concerns that these attacks may constitute extrajudicial killings. Legal experts dispute the US government's claim that it is engaged in an 'armed conflict' with cartels, arguing that individuals suspected of drug trafficking are entitled to due process.

  • Since September 2025, the US has conducted approximately 38 attacks against 40 vessels in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea.
  • On Friday, a US military strike resulted in three deaths.
  • On Monday, another attack left two dead with one survivor.

The players

USSOUTHCOM

The United States Southern Command, headquartered in Doral, Florida, is responsible for providing contingency planning, operations and security cooperation for Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

Donald Trump

The US President, who has asserted that the US is engaged in an 'armed conflict' with cartels in Latin America, framing the attacks as a necessary measure to curb the flow of drugs into the United States.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The legality of these operations will likely be challenged in international courts, potentially leading to diplomatic repercussions.

The takeaway

The US military's increased presence and use of force in the Caribbean and Pacific regions raise serious concerns about the legality and ethical implications of these actions, as well as the potential for escalating regional tensions and destabilizing drug trafficking routes.