The United States military conducted its ninth strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, as announced by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth via social media. This operation followed another strike the previous night that claimed the lives of two people in the same region, according to Hegseth. These recent actions mark a shift from previous strikes in the Caribbean and have resulted in a total death toll of at least 37 since they commenced last month.
The expansion of the military’s targeting area to include the waters off South America signifies a strategic move to combat the smuggling of cocaine from major producers in the region. Hegseth drew parallels between the current crackdown on drug traffickers and the post-9/11 war on terrorism, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
President Donald Trump has justified these strikes by declaring an “armed conflict” with drug cartels and categorizing them as unlawful combatants, using legal authority similar to that employed by the Bush administration during the war on terrorism. Trump hinted at the possibility of future land strikes, stating that the U.S. is prepared to take decisive action against drug cartels operating on land.
Concerns have been raised by lawmakers from both political parties regarding the lack of congressional authorization for these military actions and the limited information provided. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the strikes, asserting that halting the flow of drugs into the United States is essential to prevent further confrontations at sea.
Overall, the recent military operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean underscore the U.S. government’s commitment to combatting drug trafficking and securing its borders.
