Pacific Waters See Latest US Strike on Suspected Drug Boat

In a recent event, US forces targeted and destroyed a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean. This action resulted in the deaths of two individuals on board, with no casualties reported on the US side. The boat was under surveillance by US intelligence and was believed to be transporting drugs along a known trafficking route in international waters. This strike is the eighth of its kind since early September, but it's the first to take place in the Pacific. A video of the incident shows a long, blue speedboat moving through the water before being hit by US ordnance. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a strong message on social media, stating that those involved in drug trafficking will face consequences, comparing them to terrorists. Recently, a leaked memo from the Trump administration revealed that the US is engaged in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug-trafficking organizations. So far, at least 36 people have been killed in these strikes, including a recent attack on a semi-submersible vessel in the Caribbean. Two men survived a strike last week and were sent back to their home countries, Colombia and Ecuador. The US has justified these strikes as necessary measures to combat drug trafficking. However, details about the identities of those killed and the organizations they allegedly belong to remain scarce. Around 10, 000 US troops, along with dozens of military aircraft and ships, have been deployed to the Caribbean as part of this operation. Tensions are rising between the US and Colombia, with President Trump criticizing Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Trump accused Petro of encouraging drug production and announced that the US will no longer provide subsidies to Colombia. Both Colombia and Ecuador have extensive Pacific coastlines, which are often used to transport drugs northward. US officials estimate that most cocaine bound for the US passes through the Pacific. While drug seizures in the Caribbean account for a smaller percentage, officials warn that this number is increasing. The situation remains complex, with significant military presence and ongoing strikes aimed at disrupting drug trafficking routes.