In a significant escalation of its anti-drug operations, U.S. forces carried out a second strike on Wednesday against a vessel believed to be carrying narcotics in the Pacific Ocean. The operation, which follows a similar strike earlier in the day, resulted in the deaths of three individuals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to combating drug trafficking that fuels crime in American cities.
This marks the first time U.S. forces have targeted drug boats in the Pacific, a major route for illicit goods, shifting from previous operations primarily focused on the Caribbean. The intensified campaign has drawn criticism from Colombia, whose government has denounced the strikes as disproportionate and contrary to international law, arguing for greater cooperation with the U.S. in tackling drug trafficking through established legal channels.
Secretary Hegseth stated on social media that these operations would persist, labeling the targets not merely as “drug runners” but as “narco-terrorists.” A video accompanying his post appears to show a boat engulfed in flames after being hit, followed by further strikes on floating debris.
Colombian officials have voiced strong objections, with Deputy Foreign Minister Mauricio Jaramillo calling the actions “disproportionate and outside international law.” He argued that the targeted individuals had no opportunity to defend themselves and that such force should be complemented by judicial processes rather than applied unilaterally.
President Donald Trump has asserted his legal authority to conduct these strikes in international waters, while indicating a potential need to seek congressional approval for any expansion of operations onto land. His administration’s readiness to broaden the scope of these anti-drug efforts signifies a potentially substantial escalation in policy.
The strategic shift to the Pacific is noteworthy, given its greater volume of drug trafficking compared to the Caribbean. However, observers suggest these military actions may also serve a broader geopolitical purpose, applying pressure on the Venezuelan government under President Nicolás Maduro, whom President Trump has accused of leading a drug-trafficking organization.
To date, the U.S. has offered limited information regarding the identities of those killed or the specific organizations they represent. The operation has involved a significant military presence, including approximately 10,000 U.S. troops, alongside numerous aircraft and naval vessels deployed in the Caribbean region.
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