The U.S. military recently attacked a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in two deaths. One person survived the strike, and the Coast Guard has been alerted for a rescue effort.
The U.S. Southern Command, responsible for military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, described the operation as a “lethal kinetic strike.” They alleged the vessel was involved in drug trafficking but did not provide concrete evidence for this claim.
“Two narco-terrorists were killed, and one survived,” SOUTHCOM stated. The military promptly notified the Coast Guard for assistance with the survivor.
This incident is part of a broader pattern. Just last week, the U.S. conducted another attack, bringing the total to three operations since early January, when they notably detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a chaotic raid in Caracas.
Reports indicate that the U.S. has conducted approximately 37 strikes against 39 vessels in the region, leading to at least 130 deaths. The latest actions have drawn criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates, who argue that the U.S. is operating outside of international law by pursuing suspected drug traffickers without due process.
In a troubling precedent, one of the earlier strikes in September 2025 reportedly resulted in a follow-up attack that killed survivors clinging to wreckage. Legal scholars have condemned such actions as extrajudicial killings.
Despite growing scrutiny, the U.S. military continues its operations in these waters. A recent 10-second video shows the airstrike in action, capturing an image of the boat before it was destroyed.
This series of events highlights a larger trend of militarized drug enforcement that is raising ethical and legal questions. Analysts, like Dr. Emily Dutton, a professor of international relations, emphasize that the use of military force in these operations risks escalating violence and undermining efforts for judicial accountability.
As the situation develops, many are left wondering not just about the immediate impacts, but about the long-term implications for U.S. policy and international law. For more details on the legal aspects of military actions, you can read a report from Human Rights Watch.
Source link
News, Crime, Donald Trump, Military, Latin America, United States, US & Canada, Venezuela
