A recent military strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean claimed the lives of four individuals believed to be involved in drug trafficking, as confirmed by the US Southern Command. This incident adds to an ongoing controversy surrounding US military strikes related to narcotics operations that have collectively resulted in over 87 deaths.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s handling of the strikes, particularly one that occurred in early September, has drawn sharp criticism. During that incident, US forces targeted a vessel that had already been struck, leading to the deaths of two survivors. This has been described by some lawmakers as an attack on “shipwrecked sailors” and raised concerns about potential violations of international law.
In a classified briefing on Capitol Hill, lawmakers were shown footage of the recent strike, which had a segment publicly released. Representative Jim Himes, the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, expressed profound concerns, stating, “You have two individuals in clear distress without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel, who were killed by the United States.” He noted it as one of the most troubling events in his public service experience.
Similarly, Republican Representative Don Bacon voiced his apprehension, emphasizing that international rules of warfare dictate that individuals must pose an imminent threat to be targeted. He argued that the survivors of the September incident did not meet this criterion.
In contrast, Republican Senator Tom Cotton defended the military’s actions, asserting that the strikes were lawful and necessary. He claimed the survivors were attempting to salvage a boat loaded with drugs, indicating a continued threat.
The White House and the Pentagon have moved to distance Hegseth from the decision to engage with the survivors, instead placing responsibility on Admiral Frank Bradley, who oversaw the operation. During the briefing, Bradley reportedly clarified that Hegseth did not directly order the strikes on the crew members. However, Bacon contended that ultimate accountability rests with the Secretary of Defense.
Amidst these developments, the Trump administration maintains that it is engaged in a war against alleged “narco-terrorists,” mobilizing significant military resources to the Caribbean for counter-narcotics operations. This military buildup has heightened regional tensions, particularly with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro accusing the US of using drug trafficking as a cover for regime change efforts in Caracas.
