US forces conducted strikes on four vessels in the eastern Pacific on Monday, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals. One survivor was rescued by Mexican search-and-rescue teams. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the strikes were ordered by President Donald Trump.
Details of the Strikes
On Monday, US forces carried out strikes on four vessels in the eastern Pacific. These operations resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that eight individuals were killed in the first strike, four in the second, and three in the third.
One person survived the strikes. According to Hegseth, Mexican search-and-rescue authorities "accepted the case and assumed responsibility for co-ordinating the rescue." The condition and current whereabouts of the survivor are not known.
Official Statements and Justification
Hegseth stated that the four vessels hit on Monday "were known by our intelligence apparatus, transitioning along known narco-trafficking routes and carrying narcotics." He characterized some of those killed as "narco-terrorists." Hegseth further asserted the actions were taken to defend US territory, writing, "The department has spent over two decades defending other homelands. Now, we're defending our own."
Context of Operations
These strikes are part of an ongoing campaign by the US to target drug traffickers. The US has conducted a series of strikes on boats it identifies as carrying drugs in both the Pacific and Caribbean. At least 51 fatalities have been reported in these operations. While most previous strikes occurred off the coast of South America in the Caribbean, more recent operations have expanded into the Pacific Ocean.
Regional and Congressional Reactions
The US strikes have drawn condemnation from countries in the region. Experts have questioned the legality of these operations. Members of the US Congress, including both Democrats and Republicans, have raised concerns and questioned the President's authority to order such actions. Tensions have increased between the US and the governments of Colombia and Venezuela following these strikes.