A US military strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean has resulted in the deaths of four individuals, according to an announcement by the US Army. The strike, which targeted a vessel suspected of drug trafficking, has intensified scrutiny of the American military’s operations in the region. This latest incident brings the total number of fatalities from such strikes to over 87.
The US Southern Command stated in a post that the targeted vessel was operating in international waters and was controlled by what Washington has designated a “Terrorist Organization.” According to the statement, intelligence indicated that the vessel was transporting illegal narcotics along a known drug trafficking route in the eastern Pacific. The Southern Command released a video purportedly showing a multi-engine boat traveling at high speed before being struck by an explosion and engulfed in flames. The Command confirmed the deaths of all four individuals on board.
Since August, the Trump administration has increased its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and off the coast of Venezuela, citing efforts to combat drug trafficking. The administration has also accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading drug smuggling operations.
Earlier this week, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated that the US strikes against drug trafficking vessels were “still in their early stages.” These strikes have drawn international criticism, with some UN experts labeling them as “extrajudicial executions.” However, Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson defended the legality of the strikes, stating that the operations are “legal under US and international law, and all actions are consistent with the law of armed conflict.”
The strikes continue to be a contentious issue, raising questions about the legal and ethical implications of the US military’s actions in international waters. The debate surrounding these operations is expected to intensify as the US maintains its focus on combating drug trafficking in the region.
