U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported on Wednesday that the American military conducted another operation, targeting a vessel carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of all four occupants. This action followed three similar strikes in the same area the previous day, which resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts against drug cartels in South American waters.
Hegseth, who was traveling in Japan and Malaysia, stated on social media that intelligence indicated the boat was transporting narcotics along a known drug trafficking route. The strike was carried out in international waters without any harm to U.S. forces, as showcased in a video shared by Hegseth showing the boat exploding in flames and smoke.
The Trump administration has been conducting an extensive campaign in the region for almost two months, deploying a substantial naval force with marines and aircraft. Speculation suggests that these actions may be aimed at removing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has been accused by the U.S. of involvement in narcoterrorism. The legality of these strikes, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 61 people, has been questioned by experts.
President Donald Trump has defended the boat attacks as a necessary measure to curb drug trafficking into the U.S., claiming the country is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels under legal authority similar to that used post-9/11. However, the escalating number of strikes has sparked a debate in Congress regarding the extent of the president’s power, with concerns raised about the lack of concrete evidence to justify the killings.
The Trump administration has not provided evidence supporting its allegations against the targeted boats, their ties to drug cartels, or the identities of those killed in the operations. The recent strike announced by Hegseth marks the 14th operation since the campaign’s inception.