Pentagon official Hegseth said the United States will continue striking suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and surrounding waters, even as the Defense Department faces rising scrutiny from lawmakers, watchdogs and regional partners over the tactics and legal authorities used.
Hegseth framed the strikes as part of a broader counternarcotics effort aimed at disrupting transnational criminal networks that move large quantities of illicit drugs toward the United States. He emphasized that U.S. forces are acting on intelligence and in coordination with regional partners when possible, and described the operations as necessary to protect American communities from the flow of narcotics.
Critics, however, have raised questions about the transparency and oversight of the strikes. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill and independent oversight bodies are seeking briefings and documentation about the rules of engagement, the intelligence basis for targeting decisions, and the processes used to assess and mitigate risks to civilians. Some regional governments and human rights advocates have also asked for clearer evidence that struck vessels posed imminent threats or were engaged in criminal activity, rather than being mistakenly targeted.
The debate intensified after senior Navy leadership publicly defended a decision to strike an alleged drug-smuggling boat twice during a single encounter. Supporters argue repeated action can be necessary if an initial strike fails to stop a vessel and it remains a trafficking threat. Detractors say repeated force heightens the risk of loss of life and underscores the need for strict oversight and clear legal justification.
Pentagon officials maintain that counternarcotics missions have unique legal frameworks, including authorities provided by partner requests, international law, and domestic statutes, but they acknowledge tensions between operational urgency and the need for accountability. Defense Department spokespeople say they will cooperate with congressional inquiries and internal reviews and that mission commanders receive guidance intended to limit civilian harm.
As scrutiny grows, the Pentagon faces pressure to balance aggressive disruption of trafficking networks with safeguards that ensure adherence to legal standards and transparency. Hegseth reiterated the intent to continue operations while saying the department is responsive to oversight. Meanwhile, members of Congress and watchdog groups are pressing for more detailed briefings, after-action reviews and clearer public explanations of the criteria used to authorize strikes in maritime counternarcotics operations.
