The United States military announced another deadly strike on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, targeting a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific. This operation, confirmed by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, resulted in four deaths, escalating the total fatalities from Washington’s contentious anti-narcotics campaign to at least 62.
Hegseth shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by a video depicting the incident in international waters. The footage showed a boat adrift before being engulfed by a massive explosion and subsequent fire.
Consistent with prior releases from the U.S. government, portions of the vessel in the video were obscured, making it impossible to independently verify the number of individuals aboard.
According to Hegseth, “This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics.”
These aggressive actions, which commenced in early September, have drawn significant criticism from experts who argue they constitute extrajudicial killings, even if the targets are indeed known traffickers. Critics also point out that Washington has yet to release any public evidence to substantiate claims that these targets were actively smuggling narcotics or posed a direct threat to the United States.
The deadly strike on Wednesday followed an incident two days prior, where multiple attacks on four boats in the eastern Pacific resulted in 14 deaths and left a single survivor.
The U.S. requested Mexico’s assistance in rescuing the lone survivor, but Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, that all search efforts had unfortunately failed.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced earlier on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, that Venezuela had intercepted three aircraft allegedly involved in drug trafficking. This statement comes amidst heightened regional tensions surrounding the recent U.S. boat strikes and its expanded military presence.
During an official event, President Maduro stated, “The day before yesterday…a drug-trafficking plane entered through the Caribbean. Our aviation detected it in a second.”
He continued, “Today, two drug-trafficking aircraft entered from the north. And in accordance with our law, we have an interception law…bam, boom, bang!”
It remained unclear whether his remarks implied the aircraft had been shot down.
Maduro emphasized that these actions were taken “to make them respect Venezuela…what is that called? Exercising sovereignty.”
Caracas has been keen to demonstrate its own anti-drug measures, particularly given the substantial U.S. military deployment now operating dangerously close to its borders.
The United States has significantly bolstered its presence in the region, deploying seven U.S. Navy warships, F-35 stealth warplanes, and the formidable USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group, representing a colossal increase in military power.
While Washington insists its deployment is solely an anti-drug operation, Caracas views it with apprehension, fearing it to be a thinly veiled prelude to military intervention aimed at removing President Maduro from power.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has labeled Maduro a drug lord—an accusation he vehemently denies—and has offered a $50 million reward for any information leading to his capture.
Maduro steadfastly maintains that Venezuela does not cultivate drugs, asserting instead that the country is unwillingly used as a transit route for Colombian cocaine.