The United States military conducted a deadly strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of the two individuals onboard. Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of War, confirmed that the operation was authorized by President Donald Trump and targeted a group identified by the U.S. government as part of a Designated Terrorist Organization.
"Under President Trump's orders, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization engaged in drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific," Hegseth announced on his official X account (formerly Twitter).
The statement revealed that the two narcoterrorists onboard were killed during the attack, which took place in international waters, and no U.S. forces were harmed. According to Hegseth, U.S. intelligence had tracked the boat as it navigated a known drug trafficking route, carrying illegal substances.
"Narcoterrorists aiming to bring poison to our shores will find no safe haven anywhere in our hemisphere," he stated firmly.
This strike marks the eighth known operation against suspected drug traffickers since early September and the first conducted in the Pacific. The previous seven were reported to have occurred in the Caribbean, as noted by CNN.
"Just as Al Qaeda waged war against our homeland, these cartels are waging war against our border and our people. There will be no sanctuary or forgiveness, only justice," Hegseth wrote, drawing parallels between this crackdown on drug trafficking and the post-9/11 anti-terrorism efforts.
According to sources cited by CNN, the Trump administration issued a classified legal opinion to justify these lethal strikes against a secret list of cartels and suspected drug traffickers. This legal interpretation categorizes drug traffickers as enemy combatants, allowing for their elimination without prior judicial review. However, leaders from countries like Venezuela and Colombia have criticized these actions as extrajudicial executions that warrant scrutiny.
Last week, the U.S. targeted at least two other vessels in the Caribbean. In one instance, the survivors—a citizen from Ecuador and another from Colombia—were subsequently repatriated to their home countries, potentially sparking legal and political debates over Washington's authority to conduct such extraterritorial operations.
As of now, the White House has not provided further details regarding the type of weaponry used or the identities of those killed in the latest Pacific strike.
Key Questions on U.S. Military Strike in the Pacific
What was the reason behind the U.S. military strike in the Pacific?
The strike targeted a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization involved in drug trafficking, as per U.S. intelligence.
Who authorized the military operation?
The operation was authorized by President Donald Trump, according to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Were there any casualties reported from the U.S. side?
No casualties were reported among U.S. forces during the attack.
How has the international community reacted to these strikes?
Some leaders, including those from Venezuela and Colombia, have criticized these actions as extrajudicial executions.