US Military Strikes Three Boats in Eastern Pacific, Killing Eight Amid Growing Congressional Scrutiny

In a move that has intensified congressional debate, the U.S. military announced on Monday that it had attacked three boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The strikes, aimed at vessels accused of smuggling drugs, resulted in the deaths of eight people.

The Strike Details

According to a statement released on social media, the U.S. forces targeted “designated terrorist organizations”. The first vessel suffered three fatalities, the second two, and the third three, bringing the total to eight. While the military did not supply evidence of the alleged drug trafficking, it posted a video showing a boat moving through water before detonating.

President Donald Trump has defended the attacks as a necessary escalation to curb the flow of drugs into the United States. He has also declared that the country is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels.

Congressional Scrutiny Intensifies

The campaign has already claimed at least 95 lives across 25 known strikes since early September. A particularly controversial follow‑up strike killed two survivors who were clinging to the wreckage of a boat after the initial hit. As these figures rise, lawmakers are demanding answers.

On the eve of briefings on Capitol Hill, all members of Congress will be briefed on the administration’s military campaign. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other top national security officials are expected to provide closed‑door briefings to members of the House and Senate.

Expanding Pressure on Venezuela

The U.S. campaign has also increased pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been charged with narcoterrorism in the U.S. In a sharp escalation last week, U.S. forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker that the Trump administration accused of smuggling illicit crude. Maduro has insisted that the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from office.

Largest Regional Presence in Decades

The U.S. military has built up its largest presence in the region in decades. It has launched a series of deadly strikes on alleged drug‑smuggling boats in both the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. President Trump has hinted that land attacks are forthcoming, though he has not provided any details on their location.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. military killed eight people in three boat strikes in the eastern Pacific, targeting “designated terrorist organizations”.
• The campaign has claimed at least 95 deaths in 25 strikes since early September, including a follow‑up strike that killed two survivors.
• Congressional briefings are scheduled as lawmakers demand accountability for the escalating military actions.
• The campaign has intensified pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been charged with narcoterrorism in the U.S.
• President Trump has announced that land attacks may follow, but no specifics have been released.

The latest strikes underscore the administration’s aggressive stance against drug trafficking, while also raising serious questions about the legality and humanitarian impact of its operations.