Washington - The U.S. military said it launched another strike on a boat accused of ferrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea, killing two people Monday. The Trump administration's campaign of blowing up alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters has persisted since early September and killed at least 188 people in total.
Escalation of Military Action
Other strikes have taken place in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Despite the Iran war, the series of strikes have ramped up again in recent weeks, showing that the administration's aggressive measures to stop what it calls 'narcoterrorism' in the Western Hemisphere are not letting up. The military has not provided evidence that any of the vessels were carrying drugs.
Context and Background
The attacks began as the U.S. built up its largest military presence in the region in generations and came months ahead of the raid in January that captured then Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. He was brought to New York to face drug trafficking charges and has pleaded not guilty.
In the latest attack Monday, U.S. Southern Command repeated previous statements by saying it had targeted the alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes. It posted a video on X showing a boat moving along the water before a massive explosion engulfs the vessel in flames.
Administration's Justification
President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in 'armed conflict' with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and fatal overdoses claiming American lives. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing 'narcoterrorists.'
Criticism and Legal Questions
Critics, meanwhile, have questioned the overall legality of the boat strikes. The lack of evidence linking the targeted vessels to drug trafficking has raised concerns about potential violations of international law and the use of lethal force without due process.
