The United States military carried out another strike on a vessel suspected of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Friday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and pushing the overall death toll from a months-long campaign against alleged cartel boats above 200 people.
Details of the Strike
US Southern Command announced the attack, which was the third such strike this week, using its standard language that the vessel was "engaged in narco-trafficking operations" and operated by a designated terrorist organization. However, no evidence was provided to support these claims.
The attack brings the death toll to 202 people from a series of US strikes that began in early September. Two other attacks were announced earlier in the week on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Video Footage Released
The video footage released by the military appears to be the first in color instead of black and white. It shows a small vessel floating in the ocean before it is hit and engulfed in a fireball. The footage then cuts to what could be the boat in flames, surrounded by a large plume of parcels or other objects scattered in the water.
Official Statements
US Southern Command stated in a post on X that the strike was carried out at the direction of Gen. Francis L. Donovan, the top US commander in Latin America. On Friday, General Donovan also met with Cuban military leaders near the US Navy base in Guantanamo Bay. "SOUTHCOM is unwavering in its commitment to applying total systemic friction on the cartels," the command said.
Broader Context
The Trump administration has declared that the United States is at armed conflict with Latin American drug cartels, asserting that these organizations are responsible for the flow of drugs into American communities. This campaign of strikes is part of that declared conflict.
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