U.S. military forces have conducted a series of strikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Wednesday’s strike resulted in the deaths of three individuals, described by the U.S. Southern Command as operating a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization.
These attacks mark the third deadly incident in the region within four days, and the 51st overall in a campaign that began in early September. The total number of people killed in these strikes has reached at least 177.
President Trump has stated the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America, justifying the actions as a necessary measure to combat the flow of drugs into the country. No U.S. personnel have been harmed in these operations.
The Southern Command has announced previous strikes resulting in the deaths of four and then three more individuals, claiming those killed were “narco-terrorists” without providing supporting evidence. The precise locations and identities of those killed have not been released.