US Military Strikes Kill 11 in Crackdown on Alleged Drug Traffickers

The United States military has carried out a series of deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, killing 11 people and marking one of the deadliest days of the Trump administration's months-long campaign against "narco-terrorists."

According to US military officials, American forces launched assaults on three boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean on Monday. The attacks are part of the administration's efforts to disrupt and dismantle alleged drug-trafficking operations in the region.

The Trump administration's campaign against alleged narco-terrorists began in September, when President Donald Trump called on American armed forces to attack people deemed "narco-terrorists" on small vessels. Since then, there have been 42 known strikes in notorious drug-trafficking routes such as the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in a total of 145 fatalities.

The US military has been working to disrupt and dismantle alleged drug-trafficking operations in the region, which are often linked to organized crime groups and terrorist organizations. The administration has argued that these groups pose a significant threat to national security and public health.

The latest strikes are part of a broader effort by the US military to crack down on alleged drug traffickers. The military has been working closely with law enforcement agencies and international partners to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to disrupt and dismantle these operations.

While the US military has reported a significant number of fatalities in these strikes, there have been concerns raised about the potential for civilian casualties and the impact on local communities. The administration has maintained that it takes all necessary precautions to minimize harm to civilians and ensure that its actions are in compliance with international law.

The US military's campaign against alleged narco-terrorists has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the approach and the potential for unintended consequences. Some experts have argued that the use of military force may not be the most effective way to address the root causes of the problem, and that a more comprehensive approach is needed to address the complex issues surrounding drug trafficking.

Despite these concerns, the Trump administration has shown no signs of backing down from its campaign against alleged narco-terrorists. The latest strikes demonstrate the administration's continued commitment to using military force to disrupt and dismantle these operations, and it is likely that we will see more action in the coming months.

Sources:
* Associated Press: "Strikes on 3 More Alleged Drug Boats Kill 11 People, US Military Says" (February 17, 2026)
* The Guardian: "US says 11 people killed in latest strikes on alleged drug boats" (February 17, 2026)

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