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Pentagon's Watchdog Reviews Controversial Strikes on Drug Traffickers

KVIA•Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 1:19 PM•CNN Newsource

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The Defense Department's inspector general is currently assessing US Southern Command's operations, which have involved airstrikes on nearly 60 vessels linked to drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific. Since the strikes began last fall, over 190 individuals have been killed, raising legal and ethical concerns among lawmakers and military officials. The evaluation, initiated on May 11, aims to determine if proper targeting protocols were followed during these operations, part of the Pentagon's Operation Southern Spear. The scrutiny intensified after reports of follow-up strikes targeting survivors of previous attacks, prompting discussions about potential war crimes. The frequency of these strikes has decreased recently, particularly following the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Key Details: • Evaluation initiated by the inspector general's office on May 11. • Over 190 casualties reported since the strikes began last September. • Concerns raised about legality and potential war crimes related to follow-up strikes. • Recent strike on May 8 resulted in two additional fatalities.

military drug-trafficking operation-southern-spear legal-issues southern-command

People & Organizations

Pete HegsethCaribbean SeaU.S. Southern CommandPacific OceanPentagonAdm. Alvin Holsey

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