US Military Kills Seven in Two Vessel Strikes in Eastern Pacific

The US military conducted two lethal strikes on vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean over two days, killing at least seven people.

US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), responsible for military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, confirmed the strikes on Sunday and Monday, describing the targets as involved in narco-trafficking operations.

On Monday, a strike killed two men described as "male narco-terrorists".

The previous day, two boats were destroyed, resulting in five deaths and one survivor.

The US Coast Guard was notified and activated a search and rescue system for the survivor from Sunday's strike.

These strikes are part of a broader campaign by the US military targeting vessels alleged to be linked to Latin American drug trafficking cartels.

Since September, US strikes on vessels in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean have resulted in at least 170 deaths.

SOUTHCOM stated the targeted vessels were transiting known narco-trafficking routes and were operated by designated terrorist organizations, though no public evidence has been provided to support these claims.

The military released grainy video footage showing the explosions of the vessels following the strikes.

Critics, including international law experts, human rights groups, and regional governments, have raised concerns about the legality of these operations and the risk of civilian casualties, often involving fishing crews.

US lawmakers have also scrutinized the strikes, with calls for accountability over the legality and authorization of these actions.

What remains unclear is the fate of the survivor from the Sunday strike and whether further evidence will be provided to substantiate the US military's claims regarding the vessels' involvement in drug trafficking.

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