US military strike on alleged drug boat in Pacific kills two

The Trump administration has significantly expanded the military's role in maritime drug interdiction since early 2025, designating major cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and directing the Pentagon to treat trafficking vessels as legitimate targets under that framework. The legal and operational authority for lethal strikes against suspected drug boats has drawn scrutiny from legal analysts who question the application of counterterrorism authorities in what critics describe as a law-enforcement context. Previous strikes on suspected narco vessels in the Pacific have also produced survivors, raising questions about rules of engagement and the post-strike handling of individuals recovered at sea. The Defense Department has not publicly detailed the criteria used to authorize lethal force against maritime targets in these operations.