On the evening of October 16, in a series of strikes against vessels allegedly associated with drug-trafficking activities, the United States reported that 11 individuals were killed in the Pacific. According to the U.S. government, these operations were aimed at boats operated by organizations deemed terrorist and engaged in known narcotics trafficking routes. However, specific details on the nationality of those killed and the exact locations of the strikes have not been disclosed.

The U.S. Southern Command characterized the targeted vessels as involved in dangerous drug operations that pose a threat to national and regional security. The strikes resulted in casualties across three separate vessels, with four individuals reported deceased in the first and second attacks, which occurred in the Eastern Pacific, and three fatalities reported from the third vessel in the Caribbean. All reported victims were men and were targeted based on accusations of their affiliations with criminal enterprises.

The U.S. government's lack of clarity regarding the affiliations of the destroyed vessels and the details of the attacks has raised questions about accountability and the broader implications of military actions in international waters. As drug trafficking remains a significant issue, the effectiveness of such military interventions continues to be debated, particularly concerning their impact on the local populations and potential escalation of regional tensions.