The US Government conducted Lethal attacks against three vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking in international waters of the Eastern Pacific, near Colombia, as part of the military operation called Lanza del Sur or Southern Spear.
According to the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), at least eight crew members died during these operations, the most recent of the operation.
According to an official publication on the social network The attacks were ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.and were executed after confirming that the vessels were transiting known drug trafficking routes and were involved in illicit activities.
The operation included “lethal kinetic” actions, according to the language used by the US military command.
On Dec. 15, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/IQfCVvUpau
— US Southern Command (@Southcom) December 16, 2025
US threats against Venezuela and Colombia
The actions are part of a broader campaign launched by the Donald Trump’s government for supposedly disrupting the flow of narcotics and neutralize what Washington qualifies as terrorist threats linked to transnational organized crime.
Since the beginning of the operation, on September 2, at least 26 vessels have been destroyed and between 90 and 95 people have died, according to data released by official US sources.
The intensification of attacks occurs in a context of increasing political and military pressure on Venezuela and Colombiasaid the agency EFE.
Trump has reiterated that he is considering extending the operations to the mainland in Venezuela with the argument of combating drug trafficking.
In that sense, last week he stated that Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, would be “next”in reference to its strategy of regional confrontation after years of tensions with the Government of Nicolás Maduro.
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The US and the new “armed conflict” against drug trafficking
At the same time, the Trump Administration has informed Congress that it considers that the United States is in an “armed conflict” against the drug cartels. According to the Executive, this would allow it to carry out lethal attacks without prior judicial review.
US authorities have described those killed in these operations as “illegal combatants,” an interpretation that has raised questions among Democratic legislators and legal experts, he said. cnn.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that Secretaries of State and Defense Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, respectively, will offer briefings to senators and representatives to explain the legal and operational scope of the attacks.
The military operations also coincide with new sanctions announced by Washington against shipping companies and vessels that, according to the US, facilitate the transportation of Venezuelan oil, as well as the recent seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, in the midst of a escalation that keeps tension high in the Caribbean and northern South America.
