WASHINGTON — U.S. forces conducted another operation Tuesday targeting a boat believed to be carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific, resulting in one fatality and two people rescued from the water.
Social media footage released by U.S. Southern Command captures the vessel racing across the ocean before bursting into flames. According to Southern Command, officials “immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors.”
This operation continues the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to destroy suspected drug-running boats throughout Latin American waters, spanning the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea regions. The campaign, which began in early September, has resulted in at least 194 deaths overall. Military officials have not released proof that any targeted vessels actually contained narcotics.
Last week, the Pentagon watchdog announced plans to assess whether U.S. forces adhered to proper targeting protocols during these boat attacks. The established six-phase Joint Targeting Cycle encompasses military commander’s intent, target development, analysis, decision, execution and assessment.
According to the Pentagon inspector general’s office, this review was “self-initiated.” The investigation will not examine whether the strikes violate international law, despite facing harsh criticism from some Democratic lawmakers and military legal scholars.
The Trump administration maintains the U.S. is engaged in warfare against Latin American drug cartels, which it blames for the epidemic of fatal drug overdoses devastating American communities nationwide.
