The ninth U.S. military operation against a suspected drug-carrying vessel resulted in the deaths of three individuals in the eastern Pacific Ocean, as confirmed by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth via social media. This recent strike was preceded by another incident the night before, also in the eastern Pacific, which claimed the lives of two individuals, according to Hegseth. These actions mark a departure from previous strikes in the Caribbean, bringing the total death toll from all these operations, initiated last month, to at least 37.
The expansion of the U.S. military’s operational scope to target regions off South America signifies a strategic shift, focusing on areas where a significant amount of cocaine from major producers is smuggled. Hegseth’s online posts drew parallels between the current administration’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and the post-9/11 war on terrorism.
President Donald Trump has defended these strikes, asserting that the United States is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, designating these criminal groups as unlawful combatants under legal authority similar to that used during the Bush administration’s anti-terrorism campaign. Trump hinted at the possibility of future land strikes, emphasizing readiness to take decisive action against drug traffickers operating on land.
Despite Trump’s stance, concerns have been raised by lawmakers from both parties regarding the lack of congressional authorization and transparency surrounding these military operations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the strikes, emphasizing that halting drug trafficking activities is essential to prevent further confrontations at sea.
