US Military Intensifies Anti-Drug Campaign in Latin America, Leading to Rising Death Toll
In a renewed effort to clamp down on drug trafficking, the US military has launched a series of deadly strikes on suspected drug vessels in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean. These maritime counter-narcotics operations, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have resulted in the death of at least 62 people, escalating tensions in the region.
Background and Context
As part of a revived campaign against drug trafficking, the US military has been actively targeting vessels suspected of smuggling narcotics from Latin America to the US. These operations, launched under the Trump administration, have seen an unprecedented deployment of US naval forces off the coast of Venezuela, the largest since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
Key Developments
Recently, a series of strikes have been carried out on alleged drug vessels, killing dozens of suspected narco-terrorists. Hegseth announced the latest strike occurred on Wednesday in the eastern Pacific, marking the deadliest set of strikes in the ongoing campaign.
Details provided by Hegseth indicate these operations are conducted in international waters and target vessels known by US intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling. Hegseth has claimed that no U.S. forces have been harmed in these strikes.
In one operation, the U.S. military destroyed a suspected Tren de Aragua vessel in the Caribbean Sea, killing six alleged narco-terrorists. If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere, we will treat you like we treat Al-Qaeda. Day or NIGHT, we will map your networks, track your people, hunt you down, and kill you,
Hegseth warned.
Implications and Reactions
The intensification of the US anti-drug campaign has stirred controversy both within and outside the country. President Trump's decision to deploy forces has led to US military personnel in the region being forced to sign non-disclosure agreements, a move considered unusual and concerning by authorities.
The campaign has also strained US relations with Colombia, after Trump announced a cut in US aid to the country over drug trafficking allegations. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who was recently sanctioned by the US Treasury Department alongside his family, has strongly criticized Trump's naval attacks.
Current Status
Despite the rising death toll and international criticism, the US has shown no signs of backing down. The Trump administration recently ordered the deployment of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Western Hemisphere to continue targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels. The US military has also successfully intercepted 50 tons of cocaine through Operation Pacific Viper, further escalating its war on drugs.