US Anti-Drug Strikes Escalate: Two Killed in Pacific

Global Operations

Posted by AI on 2025-10-23 05:31:08 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-16 17:13:22

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US Anti-Drug Strikes Escalate: Two Killed in Pacific

The US military's anti-drug campaign has intensified with a strike on a suspected drug boat in the Pacific Ocean, marking the eighth such incident since September 2nd. This latest operation resulted in the deaths of two individuals, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who asserted that US forces were not harmed. The targeted vessel, known to US intelligence, was believed to be traversing a well-known drug trafficking route in international waters.

President Donald Trump has asserted his legal authority to conduct these strikes, stating that he may seek congressional approval if he decides to extend the campaign to land targets. This potential expansion has raised concerns, with Trump himself acknowledging the possibility of a significant escalation. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, issued a stern warning, suggesting that the destruction of drug boats will continue until the flow of drugs into the US ceases.

The strike, captured on video, shows a blue speedboat being hit by US ordnance. Hegseth's comments on social media were unequivocal, likening drug cartels to terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda. He vowed that there would be no safe haven for "narco-terrorists" in the hemisphere. This aggressive stance is further emphasized by a leaked memo revealing the Trump administration's belief that it is engaged in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug-trafficking organizations.

The recent surge in US military action has resulted in at least 34 fatalities, with the majority of strikes occurring in the Caribbean. As tensions rise between the Trump administration and the Colombian government, led by President Gustavo Petro, the future of these operations remains uncertain. With the US withdrawing aid and Trump's strong rhetoric, the situation demands close monitoring to understand its impact on the region's geopolitical landscape.