Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Confirms Two Deadly Strikes on Narco-Terrorist Vessels — Six Cartel Operatives Dead

The Trump administration this week carried out two precision strikes on vessels it says were being used by designated narco-terrorist organizations, killing six cartel operatives and suffering no U.S. casualties.

According to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the strikes were ordered by President Trump and struck boats transiting a known trafficking corridor in the Eastern Pacific, each vessel carrying three male crew members who were killed in the strikes.

Hegseth posted a blunt update on X:

“Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.

These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and were transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route in the Eastern Pacific.

Both strikes were conducted in international waters and 3 male narco-terrorists were aboard each vessel. All 6 were killed. No U.S. forces were harmed.

Under President Trump, we are protecting the homeland and killing these cartel terrorists who wish to harm our country and its people.”

WATCH:

Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.

These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and… pic.twitter.com/ocUoGzwwDO

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) November 10, 2025

The secretary framed the strikes as necessary to protect American communities from a stream of deadly drugs pouring into the United States.

This strike follows another successful strike conducted last week.

Hegseth wrote:

“As we’ve said before, vessel strikes on narco-terrorists will continue until their the poisoning of the American people stops. Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization.

The vessel was trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean and was struck in international waters. No U.S. forces were harmed in the strike, and three male narco-terrorists — who were aboard the vessel — were killed.

To all narco-terrorists who threaten our homeland: if you want to stay alive, stop trafficking drugs. If you keep trafficking deadly drugs—we will kill you.”

WATCH:

As we’ve said before, vessel strikes on narco-terrorists will continue until their the poisoning of the American people stops.

Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist… pic.twitter.com/gQF9LpSjqD

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) November 7, 2025