U.S. destroys alleged drug-smuggling boat in Pacific, killing 2 people

On Sunday, the United States military conducted a strike against an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The Southcom confirmed that intelligence indicated the boat was actively engaged in narco-trafficking, operating along well-known drug routes. A grainy black-and-white video showed the boat before the explosion.

The military did not specify the type of boat, but it appears to be a semi-submersible vessel, often referred to as a narco sub due to its semi-submerged profile used by drug traffickers to evade detection. Gen. Francis L. Donovan stated that the U.S. military is committed to imposing "total systemic friction on narco-terrorists" by disrupting their operations, dismantling their leadership, and eliminating cartel terror across the region.

The operation, named Southern Spear, began in September following President Trump's declaration that the U.S. is at war with drug cartels from Latin America. Since the commencement of the operation, over 200 people have been killed in strikes targeting drug-smuggling boats in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean. However, critics have questioned the legality and effectiveness of these strikes, arguing that the U.S. lacks definitive evidence of the vessels' involvement in drug trafficking.

Some lawmakers have also demanded the release of unedited video footage of the initial strike to assess its legality and impact.