The U.S. military announced on Sunday that it destroyed two boats suspected of drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and one survivor. This action is part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on alleged traffickers in Latin America and its preparation for a naval blockade of Iranian ports. The recent attacks have brought the total number of casualties from boat strikes by the U.S. military to at least 168 since the administration began targeting individuals labeled as “narcoterrorists” in early September.
The U.S. Southern Command, responsible for the strikes, stated that the targeted boats were operating along known smuggling routes but did not present concrete evidence of drug transportation. Videos circulating online depicted the boats being engulfed in explosions after being targeted by the military.
Following the incident, the U.S. Coast Guard was alerted to initiate a search-and-rescue mission for the lone survivor. President Trump has characterized the U.S. engagement with cartels in Latin America as “armed conflict,” citing the need to curb drug flow into the country and prevent fatal overdoses. However, his administration has faced criticism for the lack of substantial evidence supporting its actions against “narcoterrorists.”
Despite ongoing military operations in the Middle East, particularly in the conflict with Iran, the U.S. military has continued its boat strikes in Latin America. President Trump recently announced plans to implement a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway, following unsuccessful ceasefire negotiations with Iran. The blockade aims to diminish Iran’s influence by controlling ship movements in and out of the crucial water passage, which normally facilitates 20% of global oil transportation.