Five killed as US hits drug-smuggling boats in latest strikes
Five killed as US hits drug-smuggling boats in latest strikes
Five people died after US strikes on two suspected drug boats, with authorities continuing to search for survivors as part of a broader anti-narcotics campaign in international waters.
Two boats suspected of carrying drugs were struck on Wednesday, resulting in five fatalities onboard as part of a broader campaign against narco-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The exact locations of the strikes were not disclosed, but officials said the targets were vessels carrying narcotics and that the operation has been ongoing for months. Since the first attack on a boat in international waters on September 2, there have been more than 30 strikes, with more than 110 people killed.
A day earlier, authorities targeted a convoy of three boats, and at least three people were killed. Some reports noted survivors on the affected vessels, though officials did not specify their numbers in official statements.
The campaign has been framed by the administration as a non-international armed conflict with narco-traffickers. Legal experts, however, have questioned certain aspects of the operations, including the so-called double-tap practice where a second strike follows an initial hit on survivors. Lawmakers have expressed concerns about potential violations of engagement rules, while supporters argue such actions are necessary to disrupt drug trafficking networks.
Despite the controversy, the strikes underscore a persistent effort to curb drug flows through the region. The U.S. Coast Guard has been involved in search-and-rescue efforts, and further details on the latest strikes remain limited while investigators assess the harm and the conduct of engagements in international waters.
