US Military Targets Pacific Boats in Expanded Anti-Drug Trafficking Campaign
The U.S. military escalated its anti-drug trafficking efforts this week with lethal strikes on two boats in the eastern Pacific. These operations resulted in the deaths of all individuals aboard each vessel. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed this information, highlighting that these strikes are part of a broader campaign against drug smuggling.
Recent Military Actions in the Pacific
These strikes mark the eighth and ninth military actions targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels since early September. Previously, all known operations focused on the Caribbean Sea. So far, a total of 37 individuals have died in these nine strikes.
Details of the Strikes
- The Tuesday strike targeted a boat operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO).
- The vessel was transiting along a known narcotics trafficking route.
- Intelligence indicated that the boat was involved in illicit drug smuggling.
- Secretary Hegseth stated that the boat was found carrying narcotics.
On Wednesday, a second strike was conducted against another suspected drug boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in three fatalities. Hegseth noted that both strikes were executed under the authority of President Trump.
Implications of U.S. Military Strategy
The Secretary of Defense drew parallels between drug traffickers and terrorist organizations, stating, “Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border.” Hegseth stressed that there would be “no safe harbor” for those involved in drug trafficking within the hemisphere.
Legal and Policy Considerations
The Trump administration is reportedly working on a classified legal opinion that allows for lethal strikes against cartels and suspected traffickers. This opinion defines drug traffickers as enemy combatants, permitting summary execution without judicial review.
Recently, the U.S. also carried out strikes in the Caribbean, where one operation did not result in fatal outcomes for all aboard. In those instances, survivors were repatriated to Ecuador and Colombia rather than detained by U.S. forces, raising potential legal challenges for the administration regarding the treatment of survivors.
As the U.S. military continues to ramp up its operations against drug trafficking, the evolving legal framework and military strategies will be crucial in shaping the future of this campaign.
