Trump's festive appeal for 'peace on Earth' was met with sharp rebuke from critics after the US military conducted lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in international waters, resulting in civilian deaths and ongoing rescue efforts.
The United States Coast Guard confirmed it was searching for survivors after lethal strikes by US Southern Command targeted a convoy of suspected drug vessels in the Pacific Ocean, killing at least three people and leaving several others unaccounted for. The strikes formed part of an expanded anti-narcotics campaign that has now seen more than 30 similar operations since September 2025, with official figures indicating at least 110 fatalities.
