Sea Strikes Across the Caribbean: U.S. Campaign Kills Hundreds of Civilians

An Intercept investigation alleges that over the past year the U.S. has carried out about 65 strikes on presumed drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing roughly 225 civilians (with 26 named) and prompting accusations of extrajudicial killings and possible crimes against humanity. A secret DOJ Office of Legal Counsel memo reportedly justifies the hits as lawful targets tied to narcotics revenue, a rationale critics call flimsy and overbroad. The campaign, dubbed Operation Southern Spear, has drawn questions about transparency, legal authorization, and the broader impact on communities and migrants in the region.