ABCNEWS - US boat strikes likely killed people 'not involved in narcotrafficking', Kaine says
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said that the military has “exceeded” the parameters of President Donald Trump’s orders in striking alleged drug-smuggling vessels.
WASHINGTONPOST (Alex Horton, Terrence McCoy, Samantha Schmidt, Dylan Moriarty) - 67 boat strikes. 221 dead. The cocaine hasn’t slowed, officials report.
The president says Operation Southern Spear has virtually ended drug trafficking by sea. Pentagon and DEA analysts have concluded otherwise.
STRIPES (Svetlana Shkolnikova) - Senate panel proposes Hegseth travel limits until info release on Iran school bombing, boat strikes | Stars and Stripes
The panel approved the legislation last week, but it would need to be passed by both the full Senate and House to be enacted.
WASHINGTONPOST (Tara Copp, Noah Robertson) - Senate targets Hegseth’s travel in standoff over apparent Iran school attack, boat strikes
Frustrated lawmakers are increasing pressure on the defense secretary to get answers they’ve sought for months.
JUSTTHENEWS (The Center Square Staff) - U.S. seeks dismissal of lawsuit over deadly boat strikes
U.S. Southern Command has reported at least 200 people killed in 62 strikes against suspected drug boats since the strikes began in September 2025.
NYTIMES (Max Bearak and José María León Cabrera) - As Deaths From U.S. Boat Strikes Pass 200, Locals Tally an Even Greater Cost
Residents of coastal communities in Colombia and Ecuador said the airstrike campaign was making many reconsider anything involving the ocean as a livelihood.
NYTIMES (Tracy Mumford, Will Jarvis, Margaret Kadifa, Jake Lucas and Ian Stewart) - U.S. Ramps Up Deadly Boat Strikes, and What Trump’s Stock Trades Show
Plus, the Friday news quiz.
NYTIMES (Simon Romero) - Trump’s Boat Strikes Have Failed to Curb Cocaine Flow to U.S., Experts Say
Despite the rising body count off the South American coast, researchers say cocaine is as easy to get in many parts of the United States as it was before the strikes began.
JUSTTHENEWS (The Center Square Staff) - US military strikes continue daily along Easter Pacific drug routes, including 5 this week alone
As of Thursday, Joint Task Force Southern Spear had destroyed 53 vessels in 52 strikes: 50 go-fast boats, two low-profile vessels, and one semi-submersible. Officials said 178 people have died in these operations.