The US military announced on Sunday that three men were killed when it struck a boat allegedly engaged in narco-trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. This latest attack brings the total death toll of the US campaign to at least 185, according to a tally by Agence France-Presse.
Details of the Strike
The US Southern Command stated on X that the boat was operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations and that intelligence confirmed it was traveling along known narco-trafficking routes. A military video shows a boat moving swiftly before an explosion leaves it in flames. No US forces were injured in the operation.
Legal Concerns
The Trump administration has not provided definitive evidence linking the targeted vessels to drug trafficking since the strikes began in September. Legal experts and human rights groups argue the attacks may constitute extrajudicial killings, as they target civilians who do not pose an immediate threat to the US.
Broader Context
The boat strikes are part of a larger US military buildup in the region, preceding the January raid that captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro faces drug trafficking charges in New York and has pleaded not guilty. President Donald Trump has described the campaign as an armed conflict with cartels, justifying it as necessary to curb drug flows into the US.
This report includes information from Agence France-Presse and the Associated Press.
