The U.S. military said Thursday that it carried out a lethal strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of two people, according to an official statement.
In a post on the social media platform X, the U.S. Southern Command said intelligence indicated the vessel was moving along established narcotics smuggling routes and was actively involved in drug trafficking when it was struck. The statement also noted that no U.S. personnel were injured in the operation.
The strike is the latest in a series of military actions against suspected drug trafficking boats under an ongoing campaign aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics toward the United States. The military has released video footage linked to its post, showing a small vessel speeding across the water before it explodes in flames.
Officials did not immediately release details about the identities of those killed, the nationality of the vessel, or precise location of the strike. The U.S. military has been conducting similar operations in international waters of the Caribbean and Pacific in recent months, drawing both support and criticism from various corners.
Supporters of the campaign argue that targeting narcotics shipments at sea is a necessary step to disrupt powerful drug networks and reduce the flow of illegal substances into the U.S. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the legal basis for using lethal force in international waters and the lack of transparent evidence linking the targeted vessels conclusively to drug trafficking.
As of this strike, U.S. military operations against suspected drug boats have continued unabated, reflecting broader efforts by Washington to stem the influence of organized trafficking networks across the region.
