U.S. Military Conducts Two Strikes on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Boats in Eastern Pacific, Killing Five

The U.S. military announced on Thursday that it conducted two strikes against boats suspected of drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of five individuals.

According to U.S. Southern Command, intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting known narco-trafficking routes and were engaged in drug smuggling operations. The military released videos showing each boat moving through the water before being struck by explosions.

The strikes resulted in the deaths of three individuals on one vessel and two on the other. These operations bring the total number of known boat strikes to 28, with at least 104 fatalities, as reported by the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has justified these actions as necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the United States, asserting that the U.S. is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels.

The military's campaign has faced increasing scrutiny from lawmakers, especially following earlier strikes, including one in September that allegedly killed two survivors after their boat was initially destroyed.