US military operations targeting drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific have intensified, leading to the deaths of 14 individuals and the destruction of four boats linked to alleged drug smuggling, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This recent escalation raises the total number of fatalities attributed to these controversial strikes to at least 57 since operations began in early September.
Hegseth announced that the strikes were conducted in international waters on Monday, marking the deadliest day of the anti-narcotics campaign to date. He defined the casualties as “narco-terrorists,” while one person reportedly survived the attack. Critically, there has been no public evidence provided by the U.S. government to substantiate claims that the targets were engaged in smuggling or posed any immediate threat to the United States.
Visuals shared by Hegseth reveal that the initial strike targeted two stationary vessels, while subsequent strikes focused on boats in motion. According to Hegseth, these boats were tracked with intelligence that identified them as operating along recognized trafficking routes.
U.S. Southern Command has since begun efforts to locate the sole survivor, with Mexico’s naval forces taking charge of the rescue operation. The Mexican Navy is reportedly conducting searches approximately 400 nautical miles southwest of Acapulco, though details regarding the survivor’s fate remain unclear.
The operation marks a significant increase in U.S. military presence in the region, particularly around Latin America. Seven U.S. Navy warships and F-35 stealth fighters have been deployed, alongside the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group. This military buildup has forced some resources to relocate in light of the approaching Hurricane Melissa.
The expanded U.S. military engagement has stoked regional tensions, particularly with Venezuela, where leaders claim the United States is engaging in imperialistic tactics aimed at destabilizing the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuelan officials have accused Washington of fabricating justifications for a potential conflict.
In contrast, Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa, a key U.S. ally, expressed readiness to consider hosting a foreign military base in the Galapagos Islands to target drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and other illicit activities. While he did not specify which country might establish the base, he indicated conversations with “various countries,” including the United States, regarding this initiative.
The evolving situation reflects broader geopolitical dynamics as the U.S. ramps up its military operations amid increasing challenges related to drug trafficking and regional stability.
