US forces have recently targeted a vessel in the Pacific Ocean suspected of carrying drugs. The Pentagon confirmed that the strike resulted in the deaths of two individuals on board, while no US personnel were harmed.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that this vessel was already known to US intelligence and was navigating a typical drug-trafficking route in international waters. This strike marks the eighth operation against suspected drug vessels since September 2, but it’s the first one to take place in the Pacific.
A video of the incident shows a long, blue speedboat before it was hit by US forces. Hegseth emphasized that drug traffickers will not find safety in the hemisphere, likening their actions to terrorist threats against the US. He remarked, “There will be no refuge or forgiveness—only justice.”
The situation is complex. A recent memo from the Trump administration labeled the nation’s engagement with drug-trafficking organizations as a “non-international armed conflict.” Statistics reveal that at least 36 people have died in US strikes on drug boats recently, including one targeting a semi-submersible craft in the Caribbean.
Two men survived an earlier strike and were returned to their respective countries, Colombia and Ecuador. Ecuador’s government later released one of them, identifying him as Andrés Fernando Tufiño, stating there was insufficient evidence against him. The other survivor remains hospitalized.
The Trump administration has consistently justified these military actions as necessary in the fight against drug trafficking, with some organizations classified as terrorist groups. Yet, the specifics of these operations are often unclear.
Tensions have escalated between the US and Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro. Trump has criticized Petro as an “illegal drug leader,” accusing him of promoting extensive drug production in Colombia. The US has suspended financial assistance to Colombia, which has been a historical ally in drug enforcement efforts.
Colombia and Ecuador have major coastlines along the Pacific, used for smuggling drugs into the US through Central America and Mexico. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), most cocaine destined for US cities primarily passes through the Pacific, while drug seizures in the Caribbean represent a smaller percentage of the total but are increasing.
As part of this operation, around 10,000 US troops, along with military aircraft and ships, have been deployed to the Caribbean. However, details about the identities and affiliations of those killed in these strikes remain scarce.
In recent months, social media has reflected growing public concern about the impact of these strikes, along with debates on the effectiveness of military measures against drug trafficking. Users have shared opinions on the balance between national security and humanitarian issues tied to these operations.
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