The United States military carried out deadly strikes on four vessels operated by "designated terrorist organizations" trafficking drugs, killing 14 people, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said.

"The four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics," Hegseth posted on his X account. 

A Pentagon official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to freely discuss the operation, said the strikes were conducted off the coast of Colombia. 

Series of strikes off South American coast

Hegseth labeled the victims "narco-terrorists." 

"We will track them, we will network them, and then, we will hunt and kill them," he concluded.

The death toll from the 13 disclosed strikes since early September now stands at at least 57 people.

President Donald Trump has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. 

He has previously asserted the US is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels but added his administration won't seek a declaration of war from Congress.

"I'm not going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war," he said. "I think we're just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. Okay? We're going to kill them, you know, they're going to be like, dead."

Edited by: Louis Oelofse