In a significant development reported on Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the military has executed another strategic strike in the Eastern Pacific. Targeting individuals accused of being involved in narco-terrorism, the operation is part of an ongoing effort to combat drug trafficking activities in the region.

The strike, which was authorized by President Donald Trump, resulted in the deaths of three individuals suspected of narco-terrorism. Hegseth stated that these individuals were linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) and actively involved in drug smuggling operations.

“Our latest decisive action involved a kinetic strike on a vessel known to be operated by a DTO,” Hegseth explained. “The intelligence gathered confirmed that the vessel was transporting illegal narcotics along a well-known drug trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific, marking it as a legitimate target for our forces.”

The operation was carried out in international waters, ensuring no harm came to U.S. personnel during the strike. The targeted vessel was reportedly engaged in the illicit narcotics trade, with three male suspects onboard at the time of the operation.

This recent strike marks the ninth operation of its kind since September, and the second specifically within the Eastern Pacific region. In total, these strikes have resulted in the deaths of 37 individuals involved in narco-terrorism, with two survivors subsequently repatriated to their home countries.

A U.S. military drone strike ordered by President Trump destroyed a vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Oct. 22, 2025, killing three suspected narco-terrorists, according to the Department of War. (Department of War)

“These strikes will continue, day after day,” Hegseth said on Wednesday. “These are not simply drug runners—these are narco-terrorists bringing death and destruction to our cities. These DTOs are the ‘Al Qaeda’ of our hemisphere and will not escape justice. We will find them and kill them, until the threat to the American people is extinguished.”

The Pentagon has refused to release the identities of those killed or evidence of drugs on board.

The Trump administration has been scrutinized in recent weeks over the strikes, including by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who raised concerns about killing people without due process and the possibility of killing innocent people.

A U.S. military drone strike ordered by President Trump destroyed a vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Oct. 22, 2025, killing three suspected narco-terrorists, according to the Department of War. (Department of War)

In a recent interview, Paul cited Coast Guard statistics that show a significant percentage of boats boarded for suspicion of drug trafficking are innocent.

The senator has also argued that if the administration plans to engage in a war with Venezuela, as it has targeted boats in recent weeks it claims are transporting drugs for the Venezuela-linked Tren de Aragua gang, it must seek a declaration of war from Congress.