The US military recently conducted strikes on four alleged drug boats in the eastern Pacific, leading to the deaths of 14 individuals, according to reports from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This operation, which took place under the directive of President Donald Trump, marks a notable escalation in US efforts to target drug traffickers operating in both the Pacific and Caribbean regions.
One survivor was reportedly rescued by Mexican search and rescue teams, with further details about their condition or whereabouts remaining unclear.
This latest military action is part of a broader pattern of US strikes that have resulted in at least 51 casualties over recent operations targeting narcotics trafficking. The strikes, predominantly occurring off the coast of South America, have escalated tensions between the US and governments in Colombia and Venezuela, with both nations raising concerns over these aggressive actions.
Critics, including members of US Congress from both political parties, have questioned the legality of these military interventions and the authority under which the President has ordered them. In a statement, Hegseth emphasized that the targeted vessels were known entities involved in known narcotic trafficking routes.
Hegseth noted that eight individuals referred to as 'narco-terrorists' were killed in the initial strike, with additional casualties in subsequent attacks. He framed this military approach as a necessary shift towards protecting US interests after decades of international engagements.
The humanitarian implications of these strikes, along with their legality, continue to provoke debate, raising essential questions about the responsibilities and ethics surrounding military actions in pursuit of drug trafficking operations.
