U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced a significant escalation in military operations against drug cartels, asserting that the United States is 'only just beginning to kill narco-terrorists.' This shift in strategy marks a departure from previous practices of intercepting and releasing smugglers, as the current campaign is framed as a direct military engagement against what the administration classifies as foreign terrorist organizations.

In recent months, President Donald Trump has indicated that land strikes against alleged drug smugglers will commence soon, following maritime strikes that have reportedly deterred Venezuelan drug traffickers. However, assessments of the effectiveness of these military actions remain mixed. While some officials, like Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole, have noted increases in cocaine prices, others, including Admiral Nathan Moore of the U.S. Coast Guard, have reported no significant changes in trafficking routes or drug purity despite numerous strikes resulting in fatalities.

A controversial incident on September 2, 2025, involved a missile strike on a vessel suspected of drug trafficking, which reportedly led to a second strike ordered by Hegseth to eliminate survivors. This directive has raised serious ethical and legal questions, with critics labeling the actions as potential extrajudicial killings. The Department of Defense has denied these allegations, asserting that all military operations comply with U.S. and international law.

The legal justifications for these strikes have come under scrutiny, particularly following a request from a group of Democratic senators for the release of a classified legal opinion that purportedly supports the administration's actions. Critics argue that the strikes may violate international human rights law and could be classified as war crimes, especially given the lack of transparency surrounding the legal framework guiding these military operations.

The juxtaposition of escalating military actions against drug traffickers while simultaneously pardoning individuals like former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted on drug trafficking charges, has further complicated the narrative of U.S. drug policy. This inconsistency raises questions about the coherence and effectiveness of U.S. strategies in combating drug-related crime.

As investigations into the military's conduct continue, bipartisan concerns have emerged regarding the implications of such lethal operations, particularly the potential for the U.S. to act as judge, jury, and executioner in these scenarios. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between national security interests and adherence to legal and ethical standards in the use of military force.