US Strike on Suspected Drug Boat Kills Six in Eastern Pacific

The United States Southern Command said it carried out a strike on a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing six people.

According to the command, the operation took place on Sunday and was authorised by Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan, the commander of SOUTHCOM.

The military described the action as a “kinetic strike” targeting a boat allegedly linked to what it called “Designated Terrorist Organizations.”

“Six male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed,” SOUTHCOM said in a statement.

The command said intelligence indicated that the vessel was engaged in narcotics-trafficking activities and was travelling along routes commonly used for drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific.

However, authorities did not present additional evidence confirming the presence of illicit drugs on the boat.

The strike is part of a broader campaign by the United States targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels operating in the eastern Pacific and the Caribbean.

Media reports say more than 40 such strikes have been conducted since September, resulting in the deaths of over 140 people suspected of involvement in narcotics trafficking.

The administration of Donald Trump has defended the operations, saying they are necessary to prevent illicit drugs from entering the country and to combat transnational criminal networks.

However, the strikes have drawn criticism from some lawmakers and advocacy groups who have questioned their legality and the evidence used to justify the attacks.