The U.S. military conducted another lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, according to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. The operation, directed by President Donald Trump, resulted in the deaths of four individuals on the boat, which Hegseth claimed was operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) and involved in illicit narcotics smuggling. The strike took place in international waters and was part of a broader effort to disrupt drug trafficking routes in the Western Hemisphere.
Hegseth stated that the vessel was known to be transiting along a known narco-trafficking route and was carrying narcotics. He emphasized that the operation was conducted to target individuals involved in drug trafficking, with no U.S. forces harmed. This strike marks the 14th such operation since September, with a total of 61 individuals killed and three surviving, including at least two who were repatriated to their home countries. However, the Pentagon has not released the identities of the victims or evidence of drugs on board, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
The military’s actions have drawn criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Republican Senator Rand Paul has expressed concerns over the use of lethal force without due process and the potential for civilian casualties. He has cited Coast Guard data showing that a significant percentage of suspected drug trafficking vessels are innocent. Additionally, Paul has argued that if the administration intends to engage in a war with Venezuela, it must seek a formal declaration of war from Congress, as the strikes appear to be increasing in scale and scope.
Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have also raised concerns, with the committee sending a letter to the administration demanding a review of the legal justification for the strikes. The letter highlights the importance of ensuring that the President’s actions to hold alleged drug traffickers accountable are conducted within the bounds of the law. The committee stated that while drug trafficking is a serious crime, the President’s use of military force must comply with legal standards, raising broader questions about executive authority and congressional oversight in counter-narcotics operations.
The Trump administration has been criticized for its aggressive approach to combating drug smuggling in the region, with critics arguing that the lack of transparency and due process could undermine the rule of law and international relations. The ongoing debate over the legality and implications of these strikes is likely to continue as the administration faces mounting scrutiny from both legal and political quarters.