Video footage shared by President Donald Trump on Truth Social showed the suspected drug vessel shortly before it was destroyed on Sept. 2. (@realDonaldTrump via Truth Social)
"As we’ve said from the beginning, and in every statement, these highly effective strikes are specifically intended to be ‘lethal, kinetic strikes.’ The declared intent is to stop lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats, and kill the narco-terrorists who are poisoning the American people. Every trafficker we kill is affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization," Hegseth continued.
"The Biden administration preferred the kid gloves approach, allowing millions of people — including dangerous cartels and unvetted Afghans — to flood our communities with drugs and violence. The Trump administration has sealed the border and gone on offense against narco-terrorists. Biden coddled terrorists, we kill them," he added.
Hegseth also said, "Our current operations in the Caribbean are lawful under both U.S. and international law, with all actions in compliance with the law of armed conflict — and approved by the best military and civilian lawyers, up and down the chain of command."
US FORCES KILL 3 NARCO-TERRORISTS IN EASTERN PACIFIC LETHAL STRIKE OPERATION TARGETING DRUG NETWORKS
War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the U.S. carried out a deadly strike on a vessel operated by alleged narco-terrorists in the Caribbean Sea on Oct. 24, 2025. (Department of War)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The president added, "You probably noticed that now people aren't wanting to be delivering by sea, and we'll be starting to stop them by land also. The land is easier, but that's going to start very soon."
Fox News' Sophia Compton contributed to this report.
Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hegseth-defends-lethal-strikes-against-alleged-drug-traffickers-biden-coddled-terrorists-we-kill-them