US military strikes ships suspected of drug trafficking in eastern Pacific Ocean

WASHINGTON, Oct 22 (Reuters) – The U.S. military killed five suspected drug traffickers in strikes on two ships in the eastern Pacific Ocean, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday, part of an expansion of the Trump administration’s use of the armed forces in its anti-narcotics campaign.

On Wednesday afternoon, Hegseth said the military attacked a ship in the eastern Pacific Ocean and killed two men on Tuesday. It is the first known US military operation in the Pacific since President Donald Trump launched a new offensive against drug trafficking.

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Hours later, Hegseth said the military struck another ship in the eastern Pacific on Wednesday, killing three men.

“Our intelligence knew that the vessel was involved in illicit drug trafficking, that it was transiting a known drug trafficking route and that it was transporting narcotics,” Hegseth said, without providing evidence, after the latest strike.

He posted approximately 30-second videos of the two strikes on X; both appeared to show a ship traveling through water before exploding.

News of Tuesday’s strike in the Eastern Pacific was first reported by CBS News.

Colombia’s Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement that the United States must stop the attacks.

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who has declared war on gangs in his country, has expressed support for Trump’s anti-narcotics efforts.

Trump, asked about the strike by reporters in the Oval Office, said his administration had the legal authority to carry it out and that he believed each strike saved American lives.

Trump also reiterated his intention to strike targets on the ground in Venezuela, which would constitute an escalation. He added that if he took this action, his administration would likely notify the US Congress.

“We’ll probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what we’re doing when we get there,” Trump said. “We don’t need to do this, but I think…I’d like to.”

The strikes in the Pacific come against the backdrop of a U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, including guided-missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and about 6,500 troops.

In August, the Coast Guard launched an operation, known as Operation Viper, to interdict drugs in the Pacific Ocean. On October 15, the Coast Guard reported seizing more than 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg) of cocaine.

It is unclear why the administration conducted a strike in this case instead of banning the ship.

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