US Military Strikes Linked to 227 Civilian Deaths in Caribbean Waters
Since September 2025, the U.S. military has launched over 60 strikes targeting suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. These operations have resulted in the deaths of more than 220 individuals, raising concerns about civilian casualties.
Sources
Since September 2025, the US military has conducted over 60 strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of more than 220 individuals as part of Operation Southern Spear. The campaign, aimed at combating "narcoterrorism," has been criticized for its lack of transparency regarding the identities of the victims, the evidence supporting strikes, and the selection process for targets. The investigation, titled "Killing at Sea," explores the human impact of these operations through personal stories, witness accounts, and legal analysis, questioning the legality and effectiveness of the military actions.
On September 2, 2025, a U.S. strike in the Caribbean killed four people and initiated a year-long campaign that has led to over 65 attacks and more than 225 civilian casualties in the region. Military officials, including Adm. Frank Bradley, conducted these operations based on a controversial legal justification claiming drug boats are lawful military targets due to alleged ties to cartels. Critics, including defense officials and legal experts, have condemned the strikes as extrajudicial killings that may violate international law and fundamental rights to life.