New York Times
crime
Feb 14, 2026

New U.S. Boat Strike Kills 3 in the Caribbean

By Carol Rosenberg

Transparency Analysis

Article Quality:
40%
Moderate Transparency

Primary Narrative

A U.S. boat strike in the Caribbean killed three people, part of a series of operations targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels since November

Who Benefits?

U.S. law enforcement agencies

70% confident

Narrative frames enforcement operations as legitimate drug interdiction, potentially justifying expanded maritime operations

Framing Analysis

Perspective

U.S. law enforcement/government perspective on drug interdiction operations

Tone

Neutral

Language Choices

  • "suspected drug smuggling boats" - presumes guilt without conviction
  • "attacks" - loaded term that frames enforcement actions as aggressive
  • Passive voice in headline obscures agency responsibility

Omitted Perspectives

  • Perspectives from victims' families or communities affected
  • International maritime law concerns regarding use of force
  • Civilian casualty documentation or investigation details

Entity Relationships

advises
U.S. Department of DefenseU.S. Coast Guard

DoD oversees military maritime operations including Coast Guard counter-narcotics missions | Evidence: Article references coordinated 'attacks' on suspected smuggling boats under U.S. military authority

Factual Core

A boat strike in the Caribbean killed three people. This incident is part of U.S. enforcement operations targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels that began in early November.

Full Article

The attacks since early November had specifically targeted suspected drug smuggling boats in the Pacific Ocean.