U.S. Military in Latin America and the Caribbean

In September 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump launched a campaign of military strikes on supposed “narco-terrorists” in small boats, initially in the Caribbean Sea and later in the Pacific. Accusing those on the boats of smuggling drugs bound for the United States, the campaign marked a significant shift in U.S. policy – with the United Nations claiming the attacks violate international law.

Airwars is tracking all publicly declared actions by the U.S. and presenting an interactive total of these incidents. Each incident will then be independently researched by Airwars’ civilian casualty assessment team. When declared strikes have been fully researched, these incidents will appear on the page below. Our full methodology note can be read online here.

Incident type:

Last Updated: 16 November 2025

Incident Date

15 November 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251115a

Location

Eastern Pacific Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Pacific Ocean
On November 15, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with "a Designated Terrorist Organization," reportedly killing three men described as "narco-terrorists" in international waters in the Eastern Pacific. This strike was announced by U.S. Southern Command @Southcom on Twitter/X on November 16th, a day after…

Summary

Published
28 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251110a

Location

Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Sea
On November 10, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with "a Designated Terrorist Organization," reportedly killing four men described as "narco-terrorists" in international waters in the Caribbean Sea. On November 13th CBS News was the first to report on the strike, initially quoting a Pentagon…

Summary

Published
28 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251109a

Location

International Waters, Eastern Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Pacific Ocean
On November 9, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with "a Designated Terrorist Organization," reportedly killing three men described as "narco-terrorists" in international waters in the Eastern Pacific. This strike was announced as one of two strikes on vessels in a statement published by @SecWar…

Summary

Published
25 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251109b

Location

International Waters, Eastern Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Pacific Ocean
On November 9, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with "a Designated Terrorist Organization," reportedly killing three men described as "narco-terrorists" in international waters in the Eastern Pacific. This strike was announced as one of two strikes on vessels in a statement published by @SecWar…

Summary

Published
25 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251106a

Location

International Waters, Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Sea
On November 6, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with "a Designated Terrorist Organization," reportedly killing three men described as "narco-terrorists" in international waters in the Caribbean. @SecWar Pete Hegseth published a statement on Twitter/X on November 6th announcing the strike "today" on a vessel…

Summary

Published
25 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 November 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251104a

Location

International Waters, Eastern Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Pacific Ocean
On November 4, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with "a Designated Terrorist Organization," reportedly killing two men described as "narco-terrorists" in international waters in the Eastern Pacific. @SecWar Pete Hegseth published a statement on Twitter/X on November 4th announcing the strike "today" on a…

Summary

Published
25 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 November 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251101a

Location

International Waters, Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Sea
On November 1, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with "a Designated Terrorist Organization," reportedly killing three men described as "narco-terrorists" in international waters in the Caribbean. @SecWar Pete Hegseth published a statement on Twitter/X on November 1st announcing the strike "today" on a vessel…

Summary

Published
25 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 October 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251029a

Location

International Waters, Eastern Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Pacific Ocean
On October 29, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with "a Designated Terrorist Organization," reportedly killing four men described as "narco-terrorists" in international waters in the Eastern Pacific. @SecWar Pete Hegseth published a statement on Twitter/X on October 29th announcing the strike "earlier today" on…

Summary

Published
25 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 October 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251027a

Location

Eastern Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Pacific Ocean
On October 27, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on vessels allegedly affiliated with “a Designated Terrorist Organization,” reportedly killing eight men described as “narco-terrorists” in international waters in the Eastern Pacific. This strike was announced as one of three strikes on four vessels in a statement published by @SecWar…

Summary

Published
28 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 October 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251027b

Location

Eastern Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Pacific Ocean
On October 27, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with “a Designated Terrorist Organization,” reportedly killing four men described as “narco-terrorists” in international waters in the Eastern Pacific. This strike was announced as one of three strikes on four vessels in a statement published by…

Summary

Published
28 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 October 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251027c

Location

Eastern Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Pacific Ocean
On October 27, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with “a Designated Terrorist Organization,” reportedly killing three men described as “narco-terrorists” in international waters in the Eastern Pacific. This strike was announced as one of three strikes on four vessels in a statement published by…

Summary

Published
28 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23–24 October, 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251023a

Location

Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Sea
On October 23 or 24th, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly operated by Tren de Aragua, reportedly killing six men described as "narco-terrorists" in international waters in the Caribbean Sea. On October 24th, @SecWar Pete Hegseth published on Twitter/X a statement announcing the "overnight" strike on…

Summary

Published
18 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

22 October 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251022a

Location

Eastern Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Pacific Ocean
On October 22, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with "a Designated Terrorist Organization," reportedly killing three men described as "narco-terrorists" in international waters in the Eastern Pacific. Late in the evening on October 22nd, @SecWar Pete Hegseth published on Twitter/X a statement announcing the…

Summary

Published
18 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 October 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251021a

Location

Eastern Pacific, Eastern Pacific, Pacific Ocean
On October 21, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with "a Designated Terrorist Organization," reportedly killing two people described as "narco-terrorists" in international waters in the Eastern Pacific. According to CBS News and the New York Times, a defense official confirmed to them that the…

Summary

Published
18 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

17 October 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251017a

Location

in international waters in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility, South America, Caribbean Sea
On October 17, 2025, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with Ejército de Liberación Nacional, reportedly killing three men described as "narco-terrorists". While international and local news described the strikes as occurring in the Caribbean Sea, the location of the strike was described only as "in…

Summary

Published
18 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251016a

Location

Southern Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Sea, Caribbean Sea
On October 16, 2025, the U.S. military carried out a strike on a semi-submersible vessel, referred to as a “a drug-carrying submarine,” in the Caribbean Sea, killing two people referred to by the United States as “narcoterrorists” and injuring two others, men also referred to as “narcoterrorists” who were returned to their home counties of…

Summary

Published
28 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251014a

Location

EEZ Venezuela, Caribbean Sea
During the morning of October 14th, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that American forces carried out a “lethal kinetic strike” on a vessel allegedly trafficking narcotics and linked to a Designated Terrorist Organisation involved in drug-trafficking. The post included a short video showing an explosion at sea and claimed that six…

Summary

Published
13 November 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251004a

Location

Caribbean Sea
On October 5, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly claimed that the U.S. Navy had blown up another "cartel terrorist" boat the previous night in the Caribbean Sea - which would mean the strike occurred on October 4, 2025. The statement came during Trump's speech celebrating the US Navy's 250th anniversary at Naval Station Norfolk…

Summary

Published
21 October 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2025

Incident Code

USMAR251003a

Location

EEZ Venezuela, Caribbean Sea
During the morning of October 3rd, 2025, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced that a U.S. strike destroyed a drug-trafficking boat in international waters "just" off the coast of Venezuela, reportedly killing four men on board. In a post published on his X account (@SecWar) at 12:33 p.m. local time, Hegseth stated that…

Summary

Published
21 October 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2025

Incident Code

USMAR250919a

Location

80 nautical miles south of Beata Island, EEZ Dominican Republic, Caribbean Sea
On September 19th, 2025, the United States carried out what United States President Donald Trump described as a “lethal kinetic strike” on a vessel in international waters. According to Trump’s official statement on Truth Social, the strike killed three male individuals on board, whom he referred to as “narco-terrorists” involved in trafficking illicit drugs toward…

Summary

Published
21 October 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 September 2025

Incident Code

USMAR250915a

Location

EEZ Venezuela, Caribbean Sea
During the morning of September 15th, 2025, the United States military carried out a second reported strike in the Caribbean Sea, striking a boat accused of transporting illegal narcotics from Venezuela. President Donald Trump confirmed the strike, announcing that three men were killed aboard the vessel. The incident allegedly occurred in international waters, although no…

Summary

Published
9 October 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 September 2025

Incident Code

USMAR250902a

Location

Aguas Internacionales, cerca de Trinidad y Tobago, International Waters, arriving to Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean Sea
On September 2nd, 2025, U.S. President Trump announced that the U.S. military had killed at least 11 individuals in an operation on members of the Tren de Aragua cartel who were alleged to have been transporting drugs. The strike was conducted on a small boat in international waters between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, with…

Summary

Published
30 September 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Estimated fatalities
11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident