U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed on Wednesday that the American military executed another operation targeting a vessel suspected of transporting drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the death of all four individuals on board. This action followed three similar strikes conducted the day prior in the same area, which resulted in the deaths of a total of 14 individuals, as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign against drug cartels in the South American waters.
Hegseth, who has been on a visit to Japan and Malaysia, mentioned in a social media update that intelligence reports indicated the vessel was “traveling through a known narcotics trafficking route and carrying illicit substances.” The strike was carried out in international waters without any harm to U.S. personnel.
A video shared by Hegseth depicts the targeted boat erupting in flames and smoke. The Trump administration has been actively engaged in a nearly two-month operation in the region, deploying a substantial number of warships with marine and aircraft units. This deployment has raised speculation that the activities may be aimed at removing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, accused by the U.S. of involvement in narcoterrorism.
Several experts have raised concerns regarding the legality of these strikes, which have resulted in the deaths of a minimum of 61 individuals. President Donald Trump has defended these actions as necessary measures to curb the influx of drugs into the United States, citing an “armed conflict” with drug cartels under the same legal authority invoked by the Bush administration post-9/11 attacks.
As the frequency of strikes increases, a debate has intensified in Congress over the extent of the president’s authority. The operations have been carried out without a formal legal inquiry or a traditional war declaration from Congress, prompting questions from some lawmakers, including members of the Republican party, regarding the lack of concrete evidence justifying the lethal actions.
The most recent strike announced by Hegseth marks the 14th operation since the commencement of the campaign.