The United States military reported a successful strike on Saturday targeting a boat suspected of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This event marks the fourth attack in a series this week, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The overall death toll from these actions now stands at 205.
The U.S. Southern Command disclosed the operation, asserting that the vessel was involved in “narco-trafficking operations” and operated by a recognized terrorist group. However, they did not present evidence to substantiate these claims. This action is part of an ongoing campaign targeting alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific.
Military-released video footage on social media shows a small boat floating in the sea before it was struck and engulfed in flames. Since early September, the U.S. has conducted a series of strikes, with others occurring on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday of the same week.
The Trump administration has declared that the country is engaged in armed conflict with Latin American drug cartels, claiming these groups are responsible for the influx of drugs into American communities. The strike was directed by Gen. Francis L. Donovan, the leading U.S. commander in Latin America, as stated by U.S. Southern Command in their post on X.