Pete Hegseth Delivers Crushing Blow to Drug Cartels, Sinks Smuggling Vessel in Bold Strike
U.S. military forces carried out a high-impact strike on a vessel tied to Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) on Friday, October 17, 2025, in international waters under the surveillance of the U.S. Southern Command. The operation, announced two days later by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, marked one of the most forceful anti-narcotics actions of the year, resulting in the deaths of three suspected traffickers.
Intelligence reports identified the targeted boat as part of an extensive network responsible for transporting narcotics toward the United States. The mission was part of a wider campaign launched in August, which has already destroyed multiple cartel speedboats and disrupted several trafficking routes near Venezuela.
Hegseth stated that the ELN, an armed group originally formed in the 1960s, continues to play a key role in the production and export of illicit drugs throughout the region. He emphasized that U.S. forces will take decisive measures to protect American communities from the ongoing fentanyl crisis, which claims tens of thousands of lives annually.
During the operation, U.S. Navy SEALs and Coast Guard units intercepted the ELN-linked vessel as it attempted to evade maritime patrols. Officials reported that the ship carried a significant quantity of narcotics intended for international distribution. Following repeated warnings and evasive maneuvers, U.S. forces engaged, disabling the vessel and preventing its cargo from reaching shore.
The strike came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Bogotá. The United States recently suspended Colombia’s certification as a cooperative partner in the drug war after a controversial maritime incident in September. As both nations face mounting political strain, the latest raid signals a shift toward more aggressive enforcement tactics in the Caribbean.