Senior administration officials announced a significant reduction in U.S. casualties inflicted by cartels, citing a strategy of direct military force as the primary driver.
During a press call, officials highlighted that the U.S. military, under President Donald Trump's direction, executed the first-ever plan to use direct military force to defend the homeland from cartel threats. They described the effects as "spectacular," leading to what they called the "largest and steepest reduction in U.S. casualties inflicted by the cartels in American history."
The strategy, according to the officials, has also created an environment for partner nations in the Western Hemisphere to address cartel networks as a military threat. They pointed to Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and El Salvador as examples of governments now working directly with the U.S. to combat these organizations.
Unclassified images released by the Pentagon show suspected drug-smuggling boats targeted by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) operations. Officials stated that these counter-narcotics operations have led to record reductions in illicit maritime activity. Specific figures cited include a 65% reduction in the Western Caribbean, a 60% decline in the eastern Caribbean, and nearly a 50% decrease in key regions of the Eastern Pacific.
The military has conducted numerous strikes against vessels identified as belonging to "narco-terrorists." This policy of using lethal force against alleged drug traffickers has been a subject of controversy.
Officials also asserted that these actions have produced a substantial deterrent impact globally by demonstrating the U.S. willingness to employ lethal force to safeguard its core interests. SOUTHCOM has carried out lethal strikes on go-fast boats along known trafficking routes, with Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere aiming to "hunt, disrupt, and defeat" cartel networks.