The U.S. military conducted its ninth operation against a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the death of three individuals, as announced by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth via social media. This action followed a previous strike on Tuesday night in the same region that claimed the lives of two individuals. These recent operations mark a shift from previous strikes in the Caribbean and have resulted in a total death toll of at least 37 since they commenced last month.
The military’s targeting area has expanded to the waters off South America, a key route for smuggling cocaine from major producers. Hegseth drew parallels on social media between the ongoing actions against drug traffickers and the U.S. response to terrorism post-9/11, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach towards those involved in illicit activities.
U.S. President Donald Trump has justified these strikes by declaring an “armed conflict” with drug cartels and labeling them as unlawful combatants, invoking legal authority similar to that used during the war on terrorism under President George W. Bush. Trump hinted at the possibility of future strikes on land, stating readiness to take decisive action against drug-related threats.
There have been concerns raised by lawmakers from both parties regarding the military actions initiated by the Trump administration without explicit congressional authorization or comprehensive disclosure of operational specifics. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the strikes, emphasizing the need to address drug trafficking to prevent further escalations in the region.