US Executes Second Strike, Destroying Alleged Drug Boats in Pacific

US military forces have conducted a second strike against a vessel suspected of drug smuggling in the Pacific Ocean. This operation is part of an intensified campaign against maritime drug trafficking.

Details of the US Strikes

On Wednesday, three individuals were killed in the latest airstrike, which did not result in any US casualties. This offensive followed an earlier strike the same day that killed two additional suspects. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that these attacks signify a relentless effort to combat narco-trafficking, branding the culprits as “narco-terrorists.”

Colombian Government’s Response

• Colombia condemned the US operations near its waters.
• Deputy Foreign Minister Mauricio Jaramillo described the strikes as “disproportionate” and against international law.
• Jaramillo emphasized that those targeted lacked the means to defend themselves and criticized the absence of judicial processes.

He urged the US to collaborate with Colombia instead of conducting unilateral strikes.

Expansion of Strike Operations

President Donald Trump affirmed his administration’s legal authority to continue these military actions in international waters. He indicated a readiness to seek Congressional approval for potential land-based operations against drug traffickers. This would be a notable escalation in tactics, aligning with ongoing efforts to apply pressure on the Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, whom Trump has accused of drug trafficking—a claim Maduro refutes.

The Significance of the Pacific Ocean

The recent strikes represent a strategic shift, moving from the Caribbean to the more trafficked waters of the Pacific. US estimates suggest that the majority of cocaine destined for US markets traverses through these Pacific routes.

• 37 individuals have reportedly died due to US strikes on drug vessels.
• Last week’s operation involved a semi-submersible vessel, resulting in two survivors, one of whom is in a hospital.

US Military Presence in the Region

A significant deployment of around 10,000 US troops, alongside military aircraft and ships, is part of the broader anti-drug operation in the region. While drug seizures have increased in the Caribbean, they represent a small fraction of trafficking compared to the Pacific routes.

To date, US officials have not disclosed much information about the individuals killed in the strikes or the affiliations of the drug trafficking organizations involved.