The U.S. military conducted a lethal strike on Friday against a vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing two individuals and leaving one survivor. The Pentagon confirmed the vessel was operated by a designated terrorist organization and involved in drug trafficking. U.S. Southern Command released footage showing an explosion and subsequent fire after the strike, while the Coast Guard activated search-and-rescue operations for the survivor.
The strike is part of a broader campaign targeting drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters, including the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea. Since early September, the U.S. military has conducted similar operations, resulting in at least 193 deaths. However, no evidence has been publicly provided to confirm the vessels were carrying drugs.
The White House announced Wednesday that President Donald Trump endorsed a new U.S. counterterrorism strategy, prioritizing the elimination of drug cartels in the Western Hemisphere. Critics have questioned the legality of the strikes, particularly after a December report revealed a follow-on strike in September that killed two survivors of an initial attack, raising concerns about potential war crimes.
Trump has urged regional leaders to collaborate more closely with the U.S. to combat cartels, describing them as an "unacceptable threat" to hemispheric security. The strikes have intensified in recent weeks, with multiple operations conducted in the Eastern Pacific.