Pacific ocean: The U.S. military announced that it conducted a strike on a boat suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of three men. This operation marks the fourth such strike this week and brings the total death toll from these operations to 205.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the U.S. Southern Command reported that the targeted vessel was involved in drug-smuggling activities and operated by a group designated as a terrorist organization. However, the command did not provide concrete evidence to substantiate these claims.
The strike is part of an extensive military campaign aimed at targeting boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific. This campaign has been ongoing for several months. The military released video footage showing a small boat at sea before it was hit and subsequently burst into flames.
U.S. officials stated that this recent operation followed similar strikes carried out earlier in the week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The campaign, which commenced in early September, has now resulted in a cumulative death toll of 205.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has characterized Latin American drug cartels as being in armed conflict with the United States, attributing the influx of illegal drugs into American communities to these groups.
The Southern Command disclosed that the latest strike was ordered by Francis L. Donovan, the top U.S. military commander overseeing operations in Latin America.