The U.S. military has been conducting airstrikes against boats suspected of drug trafficking near Venezuela, with operations intensifying since September 2025. These actions, part of a broader campaign dubbed Operation Southern Spear, have reportedly resulted in over 80 fatalities, including the deaths of survivors from initial strikes. The operations have drawn scrutiny from both legal experts and lawmakers, who question their compliance with international law and the ethical implications of targeting individuals who may be wounded or shipwrecked.

On September 2, the U.S. government executed an airstrike on a vessel off the coast of Trinidad, marking the start of a series of attacks on boats linked to drug trafficking. Following this initial strike, a second missile attack was ordered, reportedly to eliminate any survivors. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that these strikes were conducted under the legal authority of Admiral Frank M. Bradley, head of the Joint Special Operations Command, and were framed as necessary for the protection of U.S. interests. However, the Pentagon's own Law of War Manual prohibits operations that aim to ensure there are no survivors, raising questions about the legality of these actions.

The Trump administration has defended the military operations as essential to combating narcotics trafficking from countries like Venezuela and Colombia. Nonetheless, critics argue that the strikes may constitute extrajudicial killings and potential war crimes, particularly given the lack of clear legal justification and the absence of thorough investigations into the activities of the targeted vessels. The operations have also been characterized as a precursor to broader military engagement, with a significant portion of the U.S. Navy fleet deployed to the region, including advanced weaponry and aircraft carriers typically not used for counternarcotics missions.

In response to the growing concerns, members of both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees have pledged to conduct thorough oversight of the Pentagon's actions. Lawmakers are seeking to clarify the circumstances surrounding these military operations, particularly the legality of targeting survivors and the implications for U.S. foreign policy in the region. The humanitarian consequences of these military actions are significant, as they not only result in loss of life but also contribute to escalating tensions and instability in the Caribbean, potentially exacerbating existing social and humanitarian crises.