US Conducts Fifth Strike on Suspected Drug-Trafficking Vessel in Eastern Pacific, Killing Three
The U.S. military has carried out its fifth strike in as many days on a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in three fatalities and raising the total death toll from such operations to at least 177.
The U.S. military has conducted a fifth strike in as many days on a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. This operation brings the total number of fatalities from such strikes to at least 177 since the campaign began in early September.
U.S. Southern Command announced the action on social media, stating that the strike targeted a vessel operated by designated terrorist organizations. The command reported, "Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action."
The recent series of strikes includes two operations on Saturday that killed five individuals and left one survivor, followed by additional strikes on Monday and Tuesday that resulted in six more deaths.
The Trump administration maintains that these operations are part of an ongoing conflict with "narco-terrorists" in Latin America. However, the administration has not provided definitive evidence linking the targeted vessels to drug trafficking activities, leading to debates over the legality of these actions.
International legal experts and human rights organizations have raised concerns that these strikes may constitute extrajudicial killings, as the individuals targeted do not appear to pose an immediate threat to the United States.
In January, a federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of the families of two men from Trinidad who were killed in an October strike in the Caribbean. The lawsuit argues that the killings were "premeditated and intentional" and lacked any plausible legal justification.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has criticized the administration's claims, stating in December that investigations have shown some of those killed were fishermen attempting to support their families.
Last month, Democratic Representatives Joaquin Castro and Sara Jacobs expressed concerns to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights about the killings, noting that the identities and nationalities of most victims remain unknown.
Despite the U.S. military's focus on operations in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict with Iran, the boat strikes in Latin America have continued.