Washington
The U.S. military struck a boat suspected of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing four people, officials said. The attack is part of a broader anti-drug campaign in the Caribbean and Pacific, which has already targeted 26 boats and left at least 99 people dead.
The U.S. Southern Command described the vessel as operated by “narco-terrorists” along a known trafficking route, although no public evidence was provided. A video released by the military showed the boat before it exploded. President Donald Trump defended the strikes as necessary to stop drugs flowing into the United States, calling it part of an “armed conflict” with cartels.
The attacks have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers. On Wednesday, the House rejected Democratic resolutions that would have required Congress to authorize further military action against drug cartels. Senate Republicans had previously opposed similar measures, and any resolution that passed would likely face a presidential veto.
The campaign began in early September, with follow-up strikes sometimes targeting survivors of initial attacks. Critics have expressed concern over civilian casualties and the expanding scope of U.S. military operations in Central and South America.
Trump’s administration has emphasized that the strikes are aimed at key drug trafficking networks and intend to reduce the influence of cartels in the region. The military has vowed to continue targeting vessels suspected of smuggling drugs while maintaining coordination with international partners.
As debate continues in Washington over the legality and oversight of these operations, the administration remains committed to its aggressive strategy, framing the strikes as essential to national security and the fight against drug-related crime.
