US military strikes another alleged drug boat in Caribbean, killing 3

Associated Press (AP)EN 1 min read 100% complete February 14, 2026 at 02:53 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

The U.S. military conducted another strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea, killing three people accused of drug trafficking. U.S. Southern Command stated the boat was traveling along known drug routes. This attack brings the total number of deaths from such strikes under the Trump administration to 133 since September. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed these strikes have caused some cartels to cease operations, but provided no supporting evidence. The Trump administration has justified these actions as necessary to combat drug flow, asserting the U.S. is in "armed conflict" with cartels, but has offered limited evidence to support claims of killing "narcoterrorists."

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Pacific Ocean 30% Latin America 40% U.S. Defense Secretary 40% Pete Hegseth ×250% Cartels 60% Donald Trump 60% U.S. Southern Command 70% Caribbean Sea ×380% United States ×390%

Keywords

drug trafficking 90% military strikes 80% caribbean sea 80% narco-trafficking 70% kinetic strikes 60% cartels 60% us southern command 50% narcotics operations 50% armed conflict 40%