US Forces Kill Suspected Drug Smuggler in Eastern Pacific Strike

A US military kinetic strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific killed one man during an anti-drug trafficking operation. Two others survived. The strike is part of Operation Southern Spear.

US Forces Kill Suspected Drug Smuggler in Eastern Pacific Strike

American forces carried out a lethal kinetic strike against a boat in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one individual. Intelligence indicated the vessel was traveling known narcotics smuggling routes and conducting drug transport operations. Two other men on board survived the attack.

The strike formed part of Operation Southern Spear, a military campaign launched last September. US President Donald Trump has previously stated that the United States is effectively at war with drug cartels operating from Latin America.

"Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was transiting known drug trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and conducting drug smuggling operations," the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) posted on social media platform X.

According to SOUTHCOM, the US Coast Guard initiated a search and rescue operation to locate the two survivors.

Data compiled by AFP news agency shows that more than 200 people have died in Southern Spear strikes across the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific. Legal experts and human rights organizations argue these strikes may amount to extrajudicial killings, as they appear to target civilians who posed no direct threat to the United States.

Source: 15min.lt

Source: 15min