The U.S. military conducted another strike on a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, resulting in one fatality and two survivors, according to U.S. Southern Command.
Details of the Incident
Video footage released on social media by Southern Command depicts a boat speeding across the water before erupting into flames. The command stated that it "immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors."
This operation is part of a broader campaign initiated by the Trump administration in early September, targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters, including the eastern Pacific and the Caribbean Sea. To date, at least 194 individuals have been killed in these strikes.
Lack of Evidence and Oversight
The military has not provided any evidence confirming that the targeted vessels were carrying drugs. Last week, the Pentagon watchdog announced it would evaluate whether the military adhered to the established Joint Targeting Cycle, a six-phase process encompassing commander's intent, target development, analysis, decision, execution, and assessment. The inspector general's office described the review as "self-initiated" and clarified that it would not examine the legality of the strikes.
The campaign has drawn intense criticism from some Democratic lawmakers and military legal scholars. The Trump administration defends the actions, asserting that the U.S. is at war with Latin American drug cartels, which it holds responsible for the epidemic of fatal drug overdoses affecting American communities.
