U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that the American military conducted another operation targeting a boat transporting drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of all four individuals on board. This action followed three previous strikes in the same area on Monday, which resulted in the deaths of 14 people. These operations are part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts against drug cartels operating in South American waters.
Hegseth, who has been on a trip to Japan and Malaysia, stated on social media that intelligence indicated the boat was traveling along a known drug trafficking route carrying narcotics. The strike was carried out in international waters without any harm to U.S. forces. A video shared by Hegseth captured the moment the boat exploded into flames and smoke.
The Trump administration has maintained a heightened military presence in the region for nearly two months, deploying a substantial number of warships with marines and aircraft. Speculation suggests these actions may be aimed at removing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the U.S. has accused of involvement in narcoterrorism.
Concerns have been raised by experts regarding the legality of these strikes, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 61 individuals. President Trump has defended the attacks as necessary measures to curb drug trafficking into the United States. He has justified these actions as part of an “armed conflict” against drug cartels, citing legal authority similar to that used by the Bush administration post-9/11.
However, the increasing number of strikes has sparked a debate in Congress about the extent of the president’s authority. The lack of legal investigations or formal declarations of war has raised questions among lawmakers, including some within the Republican party, about the justification and evidence behind these lethal operations.
The 14th strike, as disclosed by Hegseth, marks another development in the ongoing campaign against drug trafficking in the region.