U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that the American military conducted another operation targeting a boat suspected of trafficking drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of all four occupants. This action followed three previous strikes carried out in the same area on Monday, where 14 individuals were killed as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts against drug cartels in South American waters.
Hegseth, who was on a trip to Japan and Malaysia, shared on social media that intelligence reports indicated the vessel was transporting narcotics along a known trafficking route. He confirmed that the operation took place in international waters with no harm to U.S. forces. A video posted by Hegseth captured the moment the boat exploded in flames and smoke.
The U.S. administration has been conducting an extensive campaign in the region for nearly two months, deploying a substantial naval force with marines and aircraft. This presence has sparked speculations about potential actions against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. has accused of involvement in narcoterrorism. The legality of these strikes, which have resulted in at least 61 fatalities, has raised concerns among experts.
President Donald Trump has defended the attacks as a necessary measure to curb drug trafficking into the U.S., justifying them as part of an “armed conflict” against drug cartels. However, the escalating number of strikes has triggered debates in Congress regarding the extent of the president’s authority. Some lawmakers, including members of Trump’s own party, have questioned the lack of concrete evidence supporting the killings, as these operations have been conducted without legal investigations or formal declarations of war.
The recent strike disclosed by Hegseth marks the 14th operation since the campaign’s inception.