U.S. Expands Anti-Drug Campaign with Strikes on Alleged Narcotics Vessels in Pacific and Caribbean
In an unprecedented expansion of its anti-drug campaign, the U.S. military has launched a series of strikes against alleged drug-running vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean waters. These operations mark the first known U.S. military offensives outside the Caribbean in its ongoing campaign against what it claims are drug-trafficking activities. The strikes have resulted in numerous casualties, with conflicting reports of the total deaths.
Background and Context
The U.S. military has been conducting strikes against alleged drug traffickers for several weeks, primarily in the Caribbean Sea, with seven vessels reportedly hit and at least 34 people killed. However, this recent series of attacks signals a significant expansion of the campaign. The strikes were ordered by President Donald Trump and announced by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.
The first known attack in the Pacific occurred off the South American coast, marking a new phase in the U.S. military's anti-drug campaign. This was quickly followed by additional strikes, including the first nighttime bombing.
Key Developments and Details
According to multiple sources, including CBS and Reuters, the first attack in the Pacific targeted an alleged drug vessel in international waters. The operation resulted in two to three deaths, as reported by CBS and confirmed by Pete Hegseth.
In the following days, the U.S. military conducted additional strikes, resulting in more casualties. Hegseth announced the destruction of another alleged narcotics vessel and the deaths of three individuals. This event was confirmed by several sources, including Folha de S.Paulo, which reported this as the second attack in the region in two days.
Le Monde and Al Jazeera English reported further strikes, with Le Monde citing five deaths from two new strikes in the Pacific. The tenth vessel was reportedly destroyed in the Caribbean, with six individuals killed, as reported by Clarin and Fox News.
There are, however, conflicting reports on the total number of casualties and the number of attacks. While some sources reported eight strikes, others reported up to ten, with the death toll varying between 34 and 43.
Implications and Reactions
The strikes have sparked controversy and raised questions about the targeted vessels' affiliations and the intelligence used to identify them. The New York Times reported that intercepted communications form the core of intelligence collected on these boats. However, as Le Monde noted, Washington has not published proof to support its claims that the targets of its strikes were drug traffickers.
This expansion of the U.S. military's anti-drug campaign represents a significant shift in its strategy. The U.S. Defence Secretary has warned that narco-terrorists intending to bring poison to our shores, will find no safe harbour anywhere in our hemisphere.
Current Status
The U.S. military campaign against alleged drug traffickers continues, with the total number of strikes and deaths still uncertain due to conflicting reports. As the strikes expand beyond the Caribbean into the Pacific, the international community watches closely, awaiting further developments and clarity on the operation's ramifications.