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The US military struck another boat accused of drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people. US Southern Command said the vessel was moving along known drug routes when it was attacked. A video linked to the announcement showed the boat exploding in flames.
Ongoing Anti-Drug Campaign
The strike is part of a US military campaign against vessels linked to narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. This attack raises the reported death toll to at least 128 since September 2025.
Officials’ Statements
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said some top cartel leaders have stopped narcotics operations due to recent military strikes. Officials have not released proof, and neither Southern Command nor the Pentagon responded to follow-up questions.
Legal Challenges
The campaign faces criticism and legal challenges. Families of two Trinidadian nationals killed in a previous strike sued the US government, calling the attack a war crime. Experts question whether the military can legally target these vessels without clear evidence of drug trafficking.
Context
President Trump called the attacks necessary to curb the flow of drugs into the United States, saying the country is in “armed conflict” with cartels. Critics argue the administration has offered little evidence that the targeted boats were involved in illegal trafficking.
