U.S. Military Intensifies Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats in the Pacific

The United States military conducted another operation on Friday, targeting a vessel suspected of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This latest strike resulted in the deaths of three individuals, marking the third attack in a week and bringing the overall death toll to more than 200.

The U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military activities in Latin America south of Mexico and the Caribbean, announced the operation. The Command stated the vessel was involved in narco-trafficking and operated by a designated terrorist group, although it did not provide evidence to support the claim.

Typically, the military’s social media posts include video footage of these strikes. For the first time, the video was shared in color instead of the usual black and white. The footage displays a small boat in the ocean before it is engulfed in a fireball. The video then cuts to what seems to be the same vessel on fire, with debris scattered around it in the water.

The U.S. Southern Command shared in a post that the operation was ordered by General Francis L. Donovan, the leading U.S. commander in Latin America. On the same day, Donovan also met with Cuban military officials near the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay.

With this latest action, the number of casualties has increased to at least 202, following a series of attacks initiated in early September. Two more operations were announced earlier this week on Tuesday and Wednesday. The increase in deaths is also partly due to some individuals initially reported as survivors by the U.S. military being unaccounted for.

The Trump administration declared that the U.S. is engaged in armed conflict with drug cartels in Latin America, asserting these groups are responsible for the influx of drugs into American neighborhoods. However, the legality of the boat strikes has been questioned by some experts and lawmakers.

A Washington Post report confirmed by the White House revealed that in the initial strike on September 2, the U.S. conducted a follow-up operation, known as a double tap, which resulted in the deaths of two survivors from the first strike. This follow-up action has prompted some lawmakers to question if it violates international law concerning war crimes.