The US military attacked a suspected drug trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific on Wednesday, killing two men, officials said. The strike marks the second deadly attack this week in the Trump administration's ongoing campaign, which began in September and has now left nearly 200 people dead. Rights groups have raised concerns that the attacks could constitute extrajudicial killings.
Details of the Attack
The US Southern Command claimed on X that the boat was engaged in drug trafficking and traveling along a known smuggling route. "Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action," the command stated. The attack follows dozens of similar strikes in recent months, bringing the death toll in the campaign to at least 195, according to an AFP tally.
In Tuesday's attack, two people survived and were left stranded in the water. The US Coast Guard was alerted to launch a rescue operation, but did not immediately respond to requests for information on this or other rescue efforts. Grainy black-and-white video accompanying the latest post showed the boat before the strike, a large explosion, and then flaming wreckage in the water.
Operation Southern Spear
The US military launched Operation Southern Spear in early September, with President Donald Trump insisting that the US is effectively at war with drug cartels operating out of Latin America. However, the administration has not provided definitive evidence that the vessels targeted are involved in drug trafficking. Legal experts and rights groups argue that the strikes could amount to extrajudicial killings because they have apparently targeted civilians who do not pose an immediate threat to the US.
Mexico has warned that US involvement in anti-drug operations should not be repeated. The campaign continues to draw criticism as the death toll rises.
