The White House has announced that U.S. forces have conducted airstrikes against a vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. This action comes shortly after a series of strikes that purportedly killed 14 other individuals identified as involved in similar operations.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, speaking on social media platform X, asserted that the newly renamed Department of War executed what he described as a “lethal kinetic strike” on another narco-trafficking vessel. Hegseth characterized those killed in the recent strike as “male narco-terrorists” and indicated that the vessel was purportedly operated by an organization recognized by the U.S. as a “Designated Terrorist Organization.” While he did not disclose the exact location of the military operation, he mentioned it occurred in international waters in the eastern Pacific.
In his statement, Hegseth emphasized that U.S. intelligence had information suggesting the vessel was engaged in illicit narcotics smuggling along established trafficking routes and was carrying narcotics at the time of the strike. None of the individuals killed in this operation have yet been identified publicly.
This military action coincides with President Donald Trump’s diplomatic engagements in Asia, where he has met with various leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a series of discussions aimed at strengthening international ties. Earlier this week, Hegseth revealed that U.S. forces had conducted three additional strikes targeting vessels accused of drug trafficking, which alone resulted in a significant number of casualties and one survivor.
Since the beginning of September, the U.S. military has reportedly executed at least 14 strikes aiming at approximately 15 maritime vessels in both the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. The campaign, now extending over two months, has led to at least 61 reported fatalities.
Despite the characterization of these strikes as a measure of national security, with the administration labeling the implicated individuals as “unlawful combatants” engaged in a “non-international armed conflict,” there has been substantial criticism regarding these actions. Some experts and observers have denounced them as extrajudicial killings that may violate international law, which generally restricts the use of lethal force in situations outside recognized conflict zones.
In response to concerns over these operations, Miroslav Jenca, the United Nations’ assistant secretary-general for the Americas, reiterated the importance of conducting efforts against transnational organized crime in accordance with established international legal frameworks. The need for adherence to such principles is critical in ensuring global cooperation and maintaining respect for human rights.
#PoliticsNews #MiddleEastNews