The US military conducted a strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing three people. According to UPI, this brings the total death toll from similar strikes since September to at least 190.
Key Takeaways
The US military conducted a strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing three people. This brings the total death toll from similar strikes since September to at least 190.
- US Southern Command confirmed the strike targeted a vessel allegedly involved in narco-trafficking operations
- The military has not provided definitive evidence of drug trafficking involvement
- Human rights groups criticize the strikes as unlawful extrajudicial killings
- Similar strikes have occurred in both the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea
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 three 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.
Human rights groups and experts have raised questions about the legality of these strikes. The Guardian reports that organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International describe them as 'unlawful extrajudicial killings.' The American Civil Liberties Union has criticized the Trump administration's assertions against those targeted as 'unsubstantiated, fear-mongering claims.'
A similar strike in the Caribbean on Monday killed two people. The US military has not provided definitive evidence that the vessels are involved in drug trafficking, prompting debate about the legality of these operations.
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