US Military Conducts Eighth Airstrike on Suspected Drug Vessel, First in Pacific
The U.S. military executed its eighth airstrike against a suspected drug cartel vessel, marking the first operation in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in two fatalities.
The U.S. military executed an airstrike on a suspected drug cartel vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday night, marking the first such operation in the Pacific and the eighth overall since early September. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike resulted in two fatalities and stated that no U.S. forces were harmed.
"Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. There will be no refuge or forgiveness—only justice," Hegseth declared.
This operation brings the total number of individuals killed in these strikes to at least 34. Previous airstrikes targeted vessels in the Caribbean Sea. The use of lethal military force in drug interdiction represents a significant shift from past reliance on law enforcement methods and has raised legal questions. The Trump administration defends these actions as part of a "war" against cartels.
President Donald Trump commented on the operations, stating, "They have faster boats. Some of these boats are seriously—I mean, they're world-class speedboats—but they're not faster than missiles."
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