Post by : Rameen Ariff

A new strike by US forces on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean has killed four people, adding to growing criticism over Washington’s aggressive counter-narcotics operations. The latest incident comes as the campaign led by President Donald Trump’s administration has already resulted in more than 87 deaths, raising serious questions about military conduct and accountability.

According to US Southern Command, the operation targeted a vessel “operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization” that was carrying illicit narcotics along a known drug-smuggling route. A video released on X showed a fast-moving multi-engine boat moments before it was struck, bursting into flames.

This latest strike follows an earlier and far more controversial incident from early September, when US forces hit the wreckage of a boat that had already been destroyed, killing two survivors who were struggling to stay alive. That operation has triggered intense political debate in Washington, with lawmakers calling it one of the most disturbing military actions they have ever reviewed.

A senior Democratic lawmaker, Representative Jim Himes, who saw extended classified footage on Thursday, said it clearly showed a US attack on “shipwrecked sailors” who had no means of escape or threat capability. He described the scene as “deeply troubling,” emphasizing that the two men were in visible distress and posed no “imminent threat.”

Republican Representative Don Bacon echoed similar concerns, stating on CNN that military rules do not allow the killing of survivors unless they present an immediate danger. “These two people were trying to survive,” he said, adding that they did not meet the threshold of an imminent threat.

However, some lawmakers defended the operation. Republican Senator Tom Cotton maintained that all strikes conducted on September 2 were “lawful” and “necessary,” insisting that the two survivors were attempting to flip the damaged boat to rejoin the fight and continue transporting narcotics.

Both the White House and the Pentagon have attempted to shield Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from direct blame, pointing instead to Admiral Frank Bradley, the commander overseeing the mission. Bradley reportedly told lawmakers that Hegseth did not order the killing of all crew members, though critics argue that ultimate responsibility still lies with the defense secretary.

The Trump administration maintains that the United States is effectively at war with “narco-terrorist networks,” justifying the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier and additional military resources to the Caribbean. Officials claim these assets are meant to strengthen counter-narcotics missions.

The aggressive US military posture has intensified tensions across the region. Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has accused Washington of using drug-trafficking concerns as a cover to push for “regime change” in Caracas, warning that the situation could escalate further.

As investigations continue and political divisions widen, the latest strike has once again placed America’s counter-drug operations under scrutiny, raising urgent questions about rules of engagement and the ethical boundaries of warfare at sea.

#world news #Global