The United States continues to conduct lethal military operations in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug smuggling, a campaign that has resulted in 126 fatalities since its inception. These actions have created significant uncertainty and fear among Colombian fishermen who depend on offshore fishing grounds for their livelihoods, with many now reluctant to venture to sea due to safety concerns.
President Trump has claimed these maritime attacks have been highly effective, stating they have stopped 97% of illegal drugs entering the United States by water. However, official data contradicts this assertion, showing a nearly 34% increase in border seizures of cocaine. This discrepancy suggests smugglers continue to transport narcotics while adapting their entry methods into the country.
Ben Stechschulte, a Florida board-certified criminal trial lawyer with experience defending drug smuggling cases, expressed skepticism about the campaign's effectiveness during an interview with NPR. "I don't think it has any deterrent effect," Stechschulte said of the bombing operations. "The drug cartels understand it's the cost of doing business." The founder and lead attorney of StechLaw Criminal Defense explained that traffickers simply replace lost vessels and establish alternative routes when disrupted.
Security analyst Adam Isacson from the Washington Office on Latin America reinforced this assessment, noting that most drug boats unload in South America before narcotics are transported overland into the United States. This logistical reality undermines the strategic premise of maritime interdiction efforts, as land routes remain available alternatives for smuggling organizations.
The continued military operations despite mounting casualties and economic disruption to legitimate fishing industries raise questions about the campaign's overall effectiveness and proportionality. With no indication from the administration of plans to cease bombing attacks, the human and economic costs appear likely to continue accumulating without corresponding reductions in drug availability. The situation illustrates the complex challenges of combating transnational criminal networks through primarily military means while balancing collateral impacts on civilian populations and legitimate economic activities in affected regions.
