The U.S. military conducted an airstrike in the Caribbean Sea on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals identified as alleged drug smugglers. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the strike in a social media post, stating that the vessel was involved in narcotics trafficking and was operating along a known smuggling route.

Hegseth described the vessel as being associated with a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, although he did not specify which group was targeted. He confirmed that all three individuals aboard the vessel were killed and that no U.S. forces were harmed during the operation. This strike marks the 15th military action in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since the U.S. began its campaign against drug trafficking on September 2, bringing the total number of fatalities in these operations to 64.

In his post, Hegseth emphasized the ongoing threat posed by drug cartels, stating, "narco-terrorists are bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans at home." He asserted that the Defense Department would treat these individuals similarly to how they addressed threats from Al-Qaeda.

The Trump administration has been actively pursuing military strikes against drug cartels, justifying the actions as necessary to combat the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. The administration has claimed that it is engaged in an "armed conflict" with these organizations, relying on legal authority similar to that used in the post-9/11 war on terrorism.

Despite the administration's efforts, U.S. lawmakers have expressed concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the legal justifications for these strikes. Senate Democrats have repeatedly requested more information about the operations, including details on the targeted groups and the legal opinions supporting the military actions. A letter signed by several Democratic senators, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, was sent to key officials, demanding clarity on the administration's approach.

Earlier this week, Hegseth announced additional strikes in the Eastern Pacific, further indicating the administration's commitment to its military campaign against drug trafficking. The ongoing operations have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, who have criticized the selective sharing of information regarding the strikes and the groups targeted.

As the U.S. military continues its operations in the Caribbean, the debate over the legal and ethical implications of these strikes remains a contentious issue among lawmakers and the public.