US Military Strikes Alleged Drug Boat in Caribbean, Killing 3

The latest attack raises the death toll from the Trump administration's strikes on alleged drug boats to 133 people in at least 38 attacks.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The U.S. military said it has carried out another deadly strike on a vessel accused of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea. The attack killed three people, raising the death toll from the Trump administration's strikes on alleged drug boats to 133 people in at least 38 attacks since early September.

Why it matters

The U.S. has taken an aggressive stance against drug trafficking in the Caribbean, with the Trump administration authorizing numerous deadly strikes on vessels suspected of involvement. However, critics argue there is little evidence to support the administration's claims of targeting 'narcoterrorists', raising concerns about the legality and necessity of these attacks.

The details

According to U.S. Southern Command, the boat 'was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.' A video linked to the post shows the boat moving through the water before exploding in flames.

  • The latest attack occurred on February 14, 2026.
  • The Trump administration has carried out at least 38 strikes on alleged drug boats since early September.

The players

U.S. Southern Command

The unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces responsible for military operations in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.

Pete Hegseth

U.S. Defense Secretary who claimed that some top cartel drug-traffickers have decided to cease all narcotics operations indefinitely due to the recent strikes.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs.

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What they’re saying

“Some top cartel drug-traffickers in the region have decided to cease all narcotics operations INDEFINITELY due to recent (highly effective) kinetic strikes in the Caribbean.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary (Social media)

What’s next

The U.S. military is expected to continue its aggressive campaign against alleged drug trafficking in the Caribbean, though the legality and necessity of these strikes remain controversial.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's escalating strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean have raised concerns about the use of lethal force without clear evidence of criminal activity, as well as the broader implications for regional security and international law.