Post by : Meena Ariff

The US military executed a lethal strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, as confirmed by the Pentagon.

This operation, overseen by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, targeted a vessel in international waters linked to a known terrorist organization. According to US Southern Command, intelligence indicated the boat was carrying illegal substances along a recognized trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific.

This incident occurs amid increased scrutiny regarding the Trump administration’s persistent fight against drug trafficking. Back in September, a similar operation was criticized for conducting dual strikes that allegedly killed survivors of the initial attack. Congressional bodies and legal commentators have raised concerns about the potential classification of these actions as extrajudicial killings or war crimes, particularly in light of international statutes forbidding assaults on unarmed or incapacitated persons.

During a hearing on Capitol Hill, Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley denied that there were any directives to eliminate everyone on board, yet lawmakers disagreed over the briefings provided. Advocacy groups have previously labeled earlier strikes as extrajudicial executions, while families of the deceased have lodged complaints regarding violations of the right to life.

To date, the US has neutralized more than 80 suspected drug traffickers in its ongoing campaign, which the administration describes as an offensive against “narco-terrorists.” These strikes are part of an escalated US military engagement near Venezuela, with rising tensions between Washington and Caracas centered on potential military endeavors.

#World News #US News