Key facts
- The U.S. military struck a vessel in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.
- U.S. Southern Command stated the targeted vessel was operated by 'Designated Terrorist Organizations' and was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes.
- The Trump administration has been conducting strikes against vessels accused of transporting narcotics.
- More than 200 people have been killed in U.S. military strikes on vessels since September.
- Critics, including human rights organizations, question the legality and evidence supporting these strikes.
- The Pentagon's watchdog will review the military's targeting framework for these operations.
The U.S. military confirmed that its strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Thursday killed three males, part of an ongoing campaign against alleged drug traffickers. U.S. Southern Command stated the vessel was operated by 'Designated Terrorist Organizations' and was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, though it did not provide evidence or identify the individuals or organizations involved.
This incident marks the latest in a series of strikes under the Trump administration, which has characterized the situation as an 'armed conflict' with cartels. Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have labeled these strikes as unlawful extrajudicial killings, while the American Civil Liberties Union dismisses the administration's claims as unsubstantiated.
Since September, these military actions have resulted in the deaths of over 200 people. The Pentagon's inspector general's office has announced plans to review the military's targeting framework for these operations, specifically focusing on the Joint Targeting Cycle.