U.S. Military Boat Strikes Have Not Reduced Cocaine Supply Indicators
U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats since September 2025 have not produced measurable declines in cocaine availability. Seizure volumes, street prices, and overdose data show no significant change.
ReasonU.S. military has conducted 59 strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since September 2, killing 196 people. S. Customs and Border Protection show cocaine seizures rose from 43,300 pounds in the first eight months of 2025 to 47,800 pounds in the following eight months. S.
cities, according to University of North Carolina researcher Nabaruun Dasgupta. 6 earlier in 2025.
CDC estimates indicate cocaine-involved deaths remained flat in the four months after the strikes started. 5 percent in 2024. Traffickers have shifted from small speedboats to overland routes through Central America and larger cargo vessels, according to experts cited by The New York Times.
Gen. Francis L. S. Southern Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in March that he could not provide measures of effectiveness for the strikes. Sen. Mark Kelly stated during the hearing that the operations raise concerns about long-term impact.
Adam Isacson of the Washington Office on Latin America said the strikes are not moving the needle on cocaine supply.
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