The United States military has announced a new lethal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, an action that has brought the total death toll from its ongoing campaign to 99 people. The operation, confirmed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, targeted a boat allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
International Condemnation and Legal Challenges
The series of strikes, which began in September, has faced severe international criticism. The United Nations, alongside human rights organisations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, has described the killings as "extrajudicial executions". Critics argue the actions violate international law and could constitute war crimes, noting that the US administration has not publicly provided evidence to substantiate its claims of drug trafficking.
In a related legal challenge, the family of a Colombian man killed in a bombing on 15 September has filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, alleging he was illegally killed.
Trump's Year-End Address and Venezuela Accusations
The strike announcement coincided with a combative year-end address from President Donald Trump. In a 20-minute speech from the White House, framed by Christmas decorations, Trump launched broadsides against political rival Joe Biden, immigrants, and past trade deals. Analysts suggested the tone reflected concern over sliding opinion polls, with a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showing only 33% of US adults approve of his handling of the economy.
During his remarks, Trump also escalated rhetoric against Venezuela, accusing the nation of "taking US oil". This references the long-standing tension since Venezuela moved to nationalise its petroleum industry, which was once dominated by US companies.
In Other News
As Morocco prepares to host the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament, human rights groups have accused the country of the arbitrary detention of hundreds of Gen Z protesters, amid allegations of brutal beatings.
In Europe, leaders are being urged to use Russia's frozen assets to fund Ukraine's defence at a critical summit in Brussels.
A new Hollywood Diversity Report from UCLA has revealed a stark lack of representation, finding that 91.7% of the most-viewed scripted streaming shows in 2024 were created by white individuals, with white men accounting for 79% of all show creators.
