The U.S. military conducted its ninth operation against a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, as announced by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on social media. This follows a separate strike the previous night that claimed the lives of two individuals in the same region. These incidents mark a departure from previous operations in the Caribbean, bringing the total death toll from the ongoing attacks, which began the previous month, to at least 37.
These strikes signify an expansion of the U.S. military’s operational scope to the waters off South America, a key route for smuggling cocaine from major producers. Hegseth’s statements on social media drew parallels between the counterterrorism efforts post-9/11 and the current administration’s actions against drug trafficking.
President Donald Trump has defended these strikes by asserting that the U.S. is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels and labeling these organizations as unlawful combatants, citing legal authority akin to the war on terrorism during the Bush administration. Trump hinted at the possibility of future land strikes, emphasizing preparedness for such actions and a commitment to seeking congressional approval.
There have been concerns raised by lawmakers from both parties regarding the authorization and transparency of these military operations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the strikes, emphasizing the need to address the root cause by curbing drug trafficking into the United States.