The United States conducted its eighth lethal strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific on October 22, 2025, killing two smugglers. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the action, directed by President Trump, as part of efforts against narco-trafficking. Democrats have called for congressional hearings over concerns about transparency and legality.
On October 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of War carried out a "lethal, kinetic strike" on a vessel in international waters in the eastern Pacific, marking the eighth such operation against alleged drug smugglers. Dramatic video released by the administration shows the long boat transiting a known narco-trafficking route before bursting into flames. Two individuals aboard, described by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as "narco-terrorists," were killed, with no harm to U.S. forces.
Hegseth stated on X: "The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, and carrying narcotics." He added, "Narco-terrorists intending to bring poison to our shores, will find no safe harbor anywhere in our hemisphere. Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. There will be no refuge or forgiveness—only justice."
The strikes, primarily near Venezuela, follow President Trump's directive amid broader actions including a covert CIA operation against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and an arrest warrant for his alleged role in regional drug trafficking. Trump told reporters: "We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela, and a lot of the Venezuelan drugs come through the sea, so you get to see that, but we’re gonna stop them by land also." He noted, "I think Venezuela’s feeling heat, but I think a lot of other countries are feeling heat too."
Maduro condemned the actions as "a military attack on civilians who were not at war and were not militarily threatening any country," accusing the U.S. of seeking regime change. The administration has acknowledged over 30 deaths in similar strikes over the past two months.
Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, demanded a hearing, citing a "complete lack of transparency" and varying explanations—from targeting narcoterrorists to connections with Venezuelan and Colombian governments. Smith questioned whether the operations aim at drug trafficking or regime change, noting the boats carried cocaine and marijuana, not fentanyl. He highlighted the resignation of Adm. Craig Holsey, U.S. Southern Command leader, one year into his term, amid rumors of legality concerns. Smith described the strikes as potentially illegal and criticized Trump's firing of inspector generals and judge advocate generals, which he said undermined legal oversight.