U.S. Military Announces Another Lethal Strike on Alleged Drug Trafficking Vessel in Eastern Pacific
The U.S. military has confirmed the execution of another deadly strike targeting a vessel accused of trafficking drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean. According to a statement released on Thursday by U.S. Southern Command, the boat was engaged in narco-trafficking operations while transiting along known routes in the region. The strike resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
Details of the Strike and Social Media Announcement
U.S. Southern Command shared the news on social media, stating that the vessel "was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations." A video linked to the post depicts a boat moving through the water before exploding into flames, providing visual evidence of the engagement.
The strike was conducted under the direction of General Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, by Joint Task Force Southern Spear. Intelligence reports confirmed the vessel's involvement in drug trafficking activities, leading to the decision to carry out the lethal kinetic action.
Defense Secretary's Claims and Lack of Verification
This announcement came just hours after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made a bold claim on his personal social media account. Hegseth declared that "some top cartel drug-traffickers" in the region "have decided to cease all narcotics operations INDEFINITELY due to recent (highly effective) kinetic strikes in the Caribbean." He framed this as a victory, asserting that such actions are saving American lives through deterrence.
However, Hegseth did not provide any specific details or verifiable information to substantiate this claim. Neither U.S. Southern Command nor the Pentagon responded to follow-up questions regarding the accuracy of Hegseth's statement, leaving it unverified and raising questions about the broader impact of these military operations.
Rising Death Toll and Broader Context of Strikes
Thursday's strike has increased the death toll from the Trump administration's targeted attacks on alleged drug boats to 128 people. Last week, the military reported that figure had reached 126, including those presumed dead after being lost at sea. This total comprises 116 individuals killed immediately in at least 36 attacks carried out since early September in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, as stated by U.S. Southern Command. An additional ten people are believed dead because searchers failed to locate them following a strike.
This latest incident marks the second known attack since the raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro last month, highlighting an ongoing and intensified military campaign in the region.
Administration's Justification and Scrutiny
President Donald Trump has characterized the U.S. as being in "armed conflict" with cartels in Latin America, justifying these strikes as a necessary escalation to combat the flow of drugs into the United States. Despite these assertions, the administration has offered limited evidence to support claims of targeting and eliminating "narcoterrorists," leading to scrutiny and calls for greater transparency regarding the effectiveness and legality of these operations.
