Two individuals believed to be drug traffickers were killed during a U.S. military drone operation, announced War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday.

This “lethal kinetic strike,” authorized by President Donald Trump, took place in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. The targeted vessel was operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO), according to Hegseth.

Since Trump initiated this campaign against drug smuggling vessels, this marks the 16th such attack aimed at intercepting illegal drug transportation into the United States.

The strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 66 suspected narco-terrorists, with three individuals surviving the assaults.

President Trump has consistently employed military force against drug-trafficking boats, with the latest strike occurring on Tuesday. (@realDonaldTrump via Truth Social/AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics,” Hegseth wrote on X. 

He said no U.S. forces were harmed and that two male narco-terrorists — who were aboard the vessel — were killed. 

“We will find and terminate EVERY vessel with the intention of trafficking drugs to America to poison our citizens,” Hegseth wrote. “Protecting the homeland is our TOP priority. NO cartel terrorist stands a chance against the American military.”

The U.S. military has increased its presence across the Caribbean, deploying bombers, warships and Marines as part of an expanded campaign targeting drug-trafficking and so-called “narco-terrorist” networks operating near Venezuela.

The Trump administration has created a new counter-narcotics Joint Task Force operating near the U.S. Southern Command in an effort “to crush the cartels, stop the poison, and keep America safe.” 

The task force will coordinate air, maritime and special-operations missions across the region — marking the largest U.S. military effort in the Caribbean in decades.