The US military conducted a strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific on May 8, killing two people and leaving one survivor. According to UPI, this brings the total death toll from similar strikes since September to at least 190.
Key Takeaways
US military strikes killed three suspected drug traffickers in the Eastern Pacific on May 6, bringing the death toll from similar operations since September to at least 190.
- US Southern Command confirmed intelligence indicated the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and engaged in drug trafficking operations
- Human rights groups have condemned the strikes as 'unlawful extrajudicial killings'
- The US military has carried out multiple strikes in recent months targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels
US Southern Command confirmed that intelligence indicated the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and engaged in drug trafficking operations. The command stated that two male suspected 'narco-terrorists' were killed, with no US military personnel harmed during the operation.
The strike is part of an ongoing campaign targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters. As reported by Fox News, this marks the 56th such strike since September, with at least 59 boats destroyed. The operations have ramped up in recent weeks despite US engagement in conflict with Iran.
The U.S. military has carried out multiple strikes in recent months targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels as part of a broader campaign to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking operations. Friday’s strike follows similar operations earlier this week, including one in the Eastern Pacific on Tuesday and another in the Caribbean on Monday.
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