The U.S. military conducted strikes on two boats accused of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing five people and leaving one survivor, according to multiple reports. The attacks occurred on Saturday and were reported by U.S. Southern Command on Sunday.
Key Takeaways
The U.S. military conducted strikes on two alleged drug-smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific, killing five people and leaving one survivor. The attacks bring the total death toll to at least 168 since September.
- U.S. Southern Command reported the strikes were carried out along known smuggling routes
- The Coast Guard was notified to activate search-and-rescue protocols for the survivor
- Critics question the legality and effectiveness of these operations
The strikes bring the total number of people killed in such operations since September to at least 168. As with previous strikes, the military stated that the boats were targeted along known smuggling routes but did not provide evidence of drug trafficking. Videos posted online showed the boats being engulfed in bright explosions.
U.S. Southern Command notified the Coast Guard to activate search-and-rescue protocols for the survivor, though updates on their status were not immediately available. President Donald Trump has justified these attacks as necessary to combat drug trafficking and reduce fatal overdoses in the U.S., labeling the alleged smugglers as 'narcoterrorists'. However, critics have questioned both the legality and effectiveness of these strikes.
The boat strikes continue amid ongoing military operations in the Middle East, where the U.S. has been engaged in a war with Iran for several weeks. President Trump announced on Sunday that the U.S. Navy would begin a blockade of ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz following failed ceasefire talks.
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