Coast Guard Halts Search for Survivors After US Targets Drug Boats

The US Coast Guard has officially suspended its search for survivors following recent military strikes targeting alleged drug boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Details of the Military Strikes

Earlier this week, the US military executed strikes on a convoy of three boats involved in drug trafficking in international waters. These operations occurred on Monday and Wednesday, resulting in the destruction of at least six boats and up to 10 confirmed fatalities.

Timeline of Events

• Tuesday: Strikes were launched, killing three individuals aboard one vessel. Crew members from the other two boats abandoned their vessels.
• Friday: The Coast Guard announced the suspension of search efforts after over 65 hours of searching.

Search Efforts and Challenges

Search operations were conducted approximately 400 nautical miles southwest of the Mexico-Guatemala border. The Coast Guard faced significant limitations due to distance and resource availability. Coast Guard Capt. Patrick Dill highlighted the challenges faced during the search.

Coast Guard Statement

“Suspending a search is never easy,” Dill remarked. “Given the exhaustive search effort, lack of positive indications, and declining probability of survival, we have suspended active search efforts.” He also noted that environmental conditions and elapsed time contributed to the low likelihood of finding survivors.

Statistics on Drug Trafficking Operations

Since the initiation of military strikes against alleged drug boats during the Trump administration, at least 115 crew members have reportedly died. This figure does not account for those who abandoned their ships during recent strikes.

Political Context and Ongoing Concerns

The Trump administration has stated these operations aim to curb the influx of illegal drugs into the US. Additionally, there are claims that the strikes serve as part of a pressure campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, associated with many of the targeted vessels. Lawmakers are demanding more transparency regarding the strikes and their implications.