The US military says it struck two boats it alleges were carrying drugs on Wednesday, killing five people on board. US Southern Command did not specify where these strikes took place, but it has been targeting vessels suspected of smuggling narcotics to the Caribbean and eastern Pacific for the past three months.
Wednesday's strike came just a day after the US targeted what it described as three narco-trafficking vessels traveling as a convoy, resulting in at least three casualties. Under the Trump administration, the ongoing efforts have been framed as a non-international armed conflict, which legal experts warn could violate rules governing such conflict.
To date, there have been over 30 strikes against vessels, contributing to more than 110 deaths since the US launched its campaign against drug trafficking on September 2. The initial strike that commenced this campaign has drawn significant criticism from lawmakers after it was revealed that the targeted boat was struck twice, killing two survivors who were clinging to its hull.
Concerns have escalated regarding a 'double-tap' policy, which some legislators argue breaches rules of engagement. In its announcement regarding the most recent attack, US Southern Command acknowledged several survivors from the convoy attack without providing exact numbers. Reports indicate that a US official confirmed eight survivors are currently being sought, although it remains unclear if they have been located.
The US has yet to provide concrete evidence linking the targeted boats to drug trafficking, despite asserting that intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting known narco-trafficking routes and engaged in narco-trafficking.
Wednesday's strike came just a day after the US targeted what it described as three narco-trafficking vessels traveling as a convoy, resulting in at least three casualties. Under the Trump administration, the ongoing efforts have been framed as a non-international armed conflict, which legal experts warn could violate rules governing such conflict.
To date, there have been over 30 strikes against vessels, contributing to more than 110 deaths since the US launched its campaign against drug trafficking on September 2. The initial strike that commenced this campaign has drawn significant criticism from lawmakers after it was revealed that the targeted boat was struck twice, killing two survivors who were clinging to its hull.
Concerns have escalated regarding a 'double-tap' policy, which some legislators argue breaches rules of engagement. In its announcement regarding the most recent attack, US Southern Command acknowledged several survivors from the convoy attack without providing exact numbers. Reports indicate that a US official confirmed eight survivors are currently being sought, although it remains unclear if they have been located.
The US has yet to provide concrete evidence linking the targeted boats to drug trafficking, despite asserting that intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting known narco-trafficking routes and engaged in narco-trafficking.
