Saturday, March 29, 2025
U.S. Strikes Four Boats in Eastern Pacific; 14 Killed in Anti-Drug Operation
In a dramatic escalation of its anti-narcotics campaign, the United States military carried out air and naval strikes on four boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing 14 people, according to official statements.
Speaking on Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the strikes took place on Monday, targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking operations. Hegseth said the action was part of a broader U.S. effort to disrupt transnational narcotics routes between Central and South America.
He also released a video clip on social media showing the boats engulfed in flames shortly after being hit. “These operations are necessary to protect American communities from the deadly flow of illegal drugs,” Hegseth stated.
According to reports, one person survived the attack and was later rescued by Mexican authorities in nearby waters. The identities of the deceased have not been released.
The Biden administration—continuing what Hegseth called an “uncompromising mission”—has intensified military operations against suspected drug traffickers in the Pacific and Caribbean regions. With this latest incident, the total death toll from similar operations has reportedly risen to 57 individuals.
Despite official claims that the targeted vessels were carrying narcotics, no independent evidence has yet been provided. Human rights organizations and local authorities in Mexico have called for an international investigation after one victim’s family claimed he was a fisherman, not a smuggler.
Critics argue that the use of lethal force without clear verification of targets could violate international maritime law, while supporters say the operations are essential to combat the multi-billion-dollar drug trade.
As scrutiny mounts, Washington is expected to release additional details about the intelligence behind the strikes in the coming days.
