Southern Command strikes Eastern Pacific boat, killing five

U.S. forces killed five people in the eastern Pacific on Tuesday.

Southern Command said Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere executed a lethal strike on a go-fast vessel on October 27. The military stated the boat was operating along established drug-trafficking routes. Command officials identified the five victims as narco-terrorists. Confirmed intelligence indicated the vessel was actively involved in trafficking operations.

This attack marks the most recent action in a months-long campaign under the Trump administration. The initiative targets suspected cartel vessels in the region. According to The Associated Press, the campaign has led to at least 240 deaths from more than 70 strikes. Southern Command released video footage of Tuesday’s operation. The clip shows the vessel in the water before it erupts into a massive fireball. The military did not provide a specific location beyond the eastern Pacific.

The campaign has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and legal experts. These groups have questioned the legal basis for using lethal force against suspected traffickers outside of a traditional battlefield. Southern Command has generally described those aboard targeted vessels as narco-terrorists or alleged links to designated terrorist organizations. The military has not typically identified the individuals killed or provided evidence that the vessels were carrying narcotics at the time of the strike.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the operations last month. He said the U.S. is increasingly seeking to conduct counter-narcotics operations in cooperation with regional allies. Rubio stated that while the U.S. has the capacity to act unilaterally, working with allies is the most effective approach. He added that the military would still blow up ships if need be. He noted that decisions would be made on a strike-by-strike basis.

Southern Command has released several videos in recent months. These clips show military personnel intercepting and boarding vessels suspected of narco-trafficking. The crews were removed and the boats were sunk.

The military continues its operations in the region under current directives.