According to government statements and CNN's analysis of search and rescue operations, the US military has killed at least 227 individuals in attacks that have destroyed 70 vessels as part of a campaign that Washington claims is intended to reduce the flow of drugs into the United States.

According to the US military, at least 26 people have survived the strikes; at least three of them were temporarily detained by US soldiers before being sent back to their home nations. After efforts failed to find them in the water, about 23 are thought to be dead.

There are no reported casualties from the most recent attack, which took place on August 28 and destroyed an alleged "refueling" vessel that was aiding drug trafficking operations in the eastern Pacific. US Southern Command claimed to have taken the crew members and "escorted" them to Ecuador prior to sinking the vessel.

Following some of the hits, the US Coast Guard began searching for survivors while declaring that it had notified the naval authorities of other nations following additional attacks.

The Trump administration has informed Congress that the United States is currently engaged in a "armed conflict" with drug cartels, starting with its initial strike on September 2, 2025. It has referred to those killed as "unlawful combatants" and asserted that it has the authority to carry out deadly strikes without judicial review because of a classified Justice Department finding.

Human rights organizations and some members of Congress have questioned that conclusion and contended that possible drug traffickers ought to be prosecuted, as was the US's interdiction policy before to President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Additionally, neither the existence of drugs on the boats that were attacked nor their connection to drug cartels have been made public by the Trump administration.

According to military authorities, the strikes have not resulted in any injuries to US service members.