U.S. Lawmakers Demand Answers on Military Strikes Against Drug Traffickers in Caribbean and Pacific

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has called for greater transparency from President Donald Trump’s administration regarding U.S. military strikes targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific. The representatives sought detailed briefings and clarifications on the legal justification for the operations, as reported by The Hill.

Reps. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., Don Bacon, R-Neb., Jason Crow, D-Colo., and Mike Turner, R-Ohio, questioned the White House about the legal basis for the strikes, whether Congress would be asked for authorization, and if the targets posed a threat to the United States. They also requested information on the military’s process for verifying targets, emphasizing the need for actions to align with “the legal, moral and ethical framework that sets us apart from our adversaries.”

The lawmakers raised concerns about potential civilian casualties, asking whether evidence confirmed that those killed were cartel operatives rather than individuals coerced or deceived into smuggling. They also inquired about mechanisms to investigate and assess strikes, including whether Congress would receive post-strike reports.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated the U.S. struck a drug-trafficking boat in the Eastern Pacific on Tuesday, killing two “narcoterrorists.” The military has conducted at least 16 such strikes against vessels in South America since 2025, resulting in 66 fatalities. The Trump administration expanded its Southern Command presence amid the operations.

A White House spokesperson defended the strikes as targeting “designated narcoterrorists” based on intelligence, with President Trump vowing to use all U.S. power to combat drug trafficking. Officials claimed the missions do not require congressional authorization, citing no exposure to hostilities. Most strikes are launched by unmanned systems from naval vessels in international waters.

The administration asserted it has been more transparent with Congress than previous administrations about the legal rationale for the operations.