Photo: U.S. Southern Command
The U.S. military conducted a strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Sunday (March 8), resulting in the deaths of six men. The U.S. Southern Command announced the strike as part of ongoing efforts under President Donald Trump's administration to target alleged drug-smuggling operations in the region. This latest action brings the total number of fatalities to at least 157 since the campaign against "narco-terrorists" began in September.
According to the U.S. Southern Command, the vessel was navigating known smuggling routes and was operated by "Designated Terrorist Organizations." The military has not provided evidence of drugs on board but released a video on X showing the boat being destroyed. President Trump has justified these strikes as necessary to curb the flow of drugs into the United States, despite criticism regarding their legality and effectiveness.
The operation, led by Gen. Francis L. Donovan of the Marine Corps, marks the 45th strike in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific regions.
As the U.S. continues its campaign, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has indicated that more operations are planned against "narco-terrorists" both at sea and on land. Despite criticism, the administration maintains that these actions are crucial for national security.