The United States military has announced the killing of five individuals accused of drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean, pushing the total number of fatalities in its controversial maritime campaign to more than one hundred. The operations, which have escalated under President Donald Trump, continue to draw scrutiny over their legal basis and ultimate objectives.
Details of the Latest Strikes
According to the US military's Southern Command, the latest action occurred on Thursday. Forces targeted two vessels in international waters that were allegedly engaged in narco-trafficking operations. The first strike resulted in three fatalities, while a second attack on another vessel killed two more people.
This brings the overall death toll from these maritime strikes to at least 104 people, based on an AFP tally using official data. The campaign, which began in September, has seen numerous such actions in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
Mounting Legal and Political Controversy
The administration has faced criticism for not publicly providing evidence that the targeted boats were involved in drug trafficking. This lack of evidence has sparked a significant debate about the legality of these operations under international law.
On the same day as the latest strikes, President Trump stated he did not require approval from lawmakers to order strikes against suspected drug cartels on land in Venezuela, citing concerns over information leaks. "I wouldn't mind telling them, but you know, it's not a big deal. I don't have to tell them," he remarked in the Oval Office.
Democratic lawmakers have consistently argued that the Trump administration needs congressional authorization to use the military for this purported anti-drug campaign. However, the House of Representatives recently rejected two Democratic resolutions aimed at halting the strikes and unauthorized hostilities against Venezuela.
Regional Reactions and Escalating Tensions
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has condemned the US campaign, asserting that its true aim is regime change rather than stopping the flow of drugs. The situation escalated further this week when Trump ordered a blockade of "sanctioned oil vessels" to and from Venezuela, a move some Democrats labeled an "act of war."
The campaign's tactics have also raised alarms. In a September operation, the US military launched a second strike that killed survivors of an initial attack on the same vessel. This incident prompted accusations from critics of a possible war crime, adding another layer of controversy to the ongoing operations.
As the death toll continues to climb, the international community watches closely, with questions mounting about the campaign's effectiveness, legality, and long-term impact on regional stability in the Americas.
