US boat strikes likely killed people 'not involved in narcotrafficking', Kaine says
Summary
Senator Tim Kaine says U.S. military strikes against suspected drug-smuggling boats have likely killed people not involved in drug trafficking. He reviewed classified materials and told President Donald Trump that the military exceeded the legal limits set by Trump's orders during these operations.Key Facts
- The U.S. military has conducted strikes on boats in the Pacific and Caribbean since September 2025.
- These strikes are part of a campaign called Operation Southern Spear targeting drug-smuggling groups.
- At least 218 people have been killed in these strikes so far.
- Senator Kaine reviewed classified targeting lists and legal memos related to the operations.
- Kaine says some victims do not fit the legal criteria outlined in President Trump’s execute order.
- The Department of Defense and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have defended the strikes as lawful.
- Pentagon spending on this campaign has exceeded $820 million.
- President Trump announced the strikes publicly in September 2025 on his social media platform.
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