The United States military’s ongoing campaign targeting suspected drug trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific has resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people, according to military officials and local accounts. The latest reported strike, announced on Saturday, killed three men in a missile attack authorized by General Francis Donovan, head of U.S. Southern Command. This brings the total death toll from over 60 such operations to at least 202 since the campaign’s inception.

The strikes, aimed at curbing narcotics smuggling routes believed to be operating off the coasts of Colombia and Ecuador, remain largely secretive. There has been little physical evidence recovered to corroborate claims made by the U.S. administration concerning the presence of drugs or wreckage from the targeted vessels. Legal experts have raised concerns over the campaign’s legitimacy, arguing that targeting individuals suspected of criminal activity without clear evidence of an imminent threat violates both domestic and international law. Some contend that there is no demonstrable effect on the flow of cocaine into the United States as a result of these attacks.

The human and social impacts of the campaign extend beyond fatalities. Coastal communities in Colombia and Ecuador—the presumed points of origin for many of the affected boats—report widespread fear and economic disruption. Fishermen in these regions, whose small speedboats closely resemble those used by traffickers, have described abandoning their livelihoods due to the threat of airstrikes. One resident from San Mateo, Ecuador, characterized the sense of constant danger faced by local fishers, who must now contend with natural hazards, piracy, and military action. Many residents declined to be identified due to fears of government backlash, given the active support for the bombing campaign by the Ecuadorian government, which did not respond to requests for comment.

These communities find themselves trapped amid conflicting forces: the Trump administration’s insistence on the campaign’s success paired with minimal transparency or evidence, and traffickers who often co-opt fishermen’s boats or employ them in illicit activities. The lines between local fishermen and traffickers can be blurred, as some fishers occasionally take part in trafficking to supplement their incomes during slow periods.

Political responses to the strikes vary between countries. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, a leftist who has been openly critical of the U.S. operations, denounced the strikes as “murder” after a reported incident in October when a Colombian fisherman was believed to have been killed. Following that event, Petro announced a suspension of intelligence sharing with the U.S. military related to these attacks. In contrast, Ecuador’s government has expressed tacit support for the campaign despite local opposition.

As the campaign continues, questions remain about its legality, humanitarian toll, and overall effectiveness in addressing drug smuggling networks operating in the region.