The US military has confirmed it executed strikes on three boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight individuals. The US Southern Command shared footage of the operations, asserting these vessels were navigating known smuggling routes.
In total, more than 20 vessels have been targeted in the Pacific and Caribbean over recent months, resulting in at least 90 casualties. This escalation is part of President Donald Trump’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking organizations operating in these waters.
Legal experts have raised concerns that these strikes may violate laws governing armed conflict, particularly citing the dual-strike incident on September 2, where survivors of an initial strike were reportedly killed in a subsequent attack.
Criticism has been directed towards the legality of these operations by various legal analysts who argue that they could be interpreted as extrajudicial killings under international law.
In light of these developments, the White House maintains its operations comply with armed conflict laws, emphasizing the necessity to safeguard the United States from drug cartels. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to provide Congress with a briefing, expected to include footage from the controversial strikes.
Recent actions highlight the Trump administration's stance against Venezuela, with accusations of its involvement in funneling narcotics into the US. The administration has identified specific Venezuelan groups as terrorist organizations and has mobilized significant military resources near Venezuela.
