US Military Strikes Kill 8 in Eastern Pacific: Escalating Controversial Anti-Narcotics Campaign

United States:

Eight individuals were killed on Monday during strikes on three suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean, according to US military reports. This incident represents the latest in a controversial military campaign that has resulted in numerous fatalities.

Since early September, under Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth's direction, the US military has conducted operations targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats in both the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. These operations have resulted in the destruction of at least 26 vessels and the deaths of approximately 95 people.

The US Southern Command announced the recent three strikes via their X platform, stating that the eight men killed were involved in drug trafficking activities, though they provided no supporting evidence for this claim.

Their post included video footage showing three separate boats floating in water, each subsequently hit by military strikes.

"Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking," the statement indicated.

According to the US Southern Command, the strikes resulted in three fatalities on the first vessel, two on the second, and three on the third vessel.

These military actions have drawn significant criticism from human rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers. Last month, the United Nations human rights chief warned that such strikes could potentially violate international law.

The US administration has classified those killed as "unlawful combatants" and maintained that it can legally conduct lethal strikes without judicial review based on a classified Justice Department finding.

US authorities have not provided specific evidence confirming that the targeted boats were actually transporting drugs.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced an all-senators briefing scheduled for Tuesday regarding the "administration's rogue and reckless actions in the Caribbean," with both Hegseth and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to attend.

"The American people deserve oversight. We intend to deliver it," the senior Democratic lawmaker stated in an X post published prior to the military's latest strike announcement.

The strikes have been accompanied by a significant US military presence in the Caribbean, including deployment of the world's largest aircraft carrier along with numerous other warships.

US President Donald Trump has insisted that the operation's objective is combating narco-trafficking, while Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has suggested it may be a pretext for regime change in Caracas.

Admiral Alvin Holsey, who led US forces in the Caribbean, stepped down from his position last week, just one year into his tenure and reportedly after expressing concerns about the boat strikes.

Neither Holsey nor Hegseth have publicly explained the reason for his early departure.

"We must always be there for like-minded partners, like-minded nations who share our values -- democracy, rule of law and human rights," Holsey stated during the ceremony marking his relinquishment of command.

During one of the initial strikes in September, survivors of a first attack on a boat were subsequently killed in a second US strike on the same vessel, generating accusations of possible war crimes after media reported details of the incident in November.

Hegseth has maintained that he did not order a second strike, instead attributing it to operational commander Admiral Frank Bradley.

Even before the double-strike incident became public, UN rights chief Volker Turk had urged Washington to investigate the legality of the campaign, warning of "strong indications" of "extrajudicial killings."