Military strikes initiated by President Donald Trump’s administration against vessels allegedly transporting drugs have not led to a reduction in the amount of cocaine entering the United States. This was reported by The Washington Post (WP), which reviewed a report by analysts from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

It is noted that the measures failed to affect the supply or price of cocaine in the United States, but forced drug traffickers to diversify their delivery methods. Cartels are increasingly abandoning the use of speedboats in favor of larger vessels and avoiding international waters, staying closer to the coastline where US forces are less likely to open fire. Also, according to the DEA’s assessment, drug traffickers are increasingly using aircraft that take off from clandestine airstrips along the Colombian-Venezuelan border and head to Guyana and Suriname to avoid detection by US troops.

Analysts emphasize that although smuggling routes were disrupted and cocaine prices rose after the strikes began in September 2025, they later returned to their previous levels. The publication notes that the DEA’s analysis of seized cocaine showed a high degree of purity — an indicator of stable supply levels, since dealers do not need to dilute the drug to increase their stocks.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced the launch of Operation Southern Spear to combat drug cartels in November 2025. In late May, The New York Times reported that the death toll from US strikes on vessels allegedly belonging to drug cartels had exceeded 200.