U.S. military killed 11 in 2025 strike on a disguised drug-smuggling boat, raising legal and ethical concerns.

America. Eleven people were reportedly killed when the military used an aircraft that was disguised to look like a civilian plane to attack a suspected drug-smuggling boat. Concerns regarding possible breaches of international law, particularly the ban on perfidy, were raised by the aircraft's lack of military markings and external weapons despite being painted to resemble a commercial airliner and carrying weapons inside. The attack, which included a follow-up strike on survivors as part of a larger anti-drug campaign in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, raised ethical and legal concerns. Although the Pentagon claimed that its weapons systems were subject to legal review, the operation is still classified and no public confirmation has been given. Discussions about military strategy, responsibility, and adherence to the rules of armed conflict have become more heated as a result of the incident.