U.S. military launched strike on drug-ferrying boat in Caribbean Sea, resulting in two deaths Monday.
Trump administration’s campaign of destroying alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters has persisted since early September, killing at least 188 people. Strikes have also occurred in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Despite ongoing Iran war, series of strikes has intensified recently, indicating administration’s aggressive measures to combat “narcoterrorism” in Western Hemisphere are not waning. Military has not provided evidence that vessels were carrying drugs.
Attacks began as U.S. bolstered its largest military presence in region in generations and occurred months before the raid capturing then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was brought to New York to face drug trafficking charges and has pleaded not guilty.
In latest attack Monday, U.S. Southern Command reiterated previous statements that it targeted alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes. Video posted on social media showed a boat moving before massive explosion engulfed vessel in flames.
President Trump has declared the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and justified attacks as necessary escalation to curb drugs entering United States and fatal overdoses claiming American lives. However, administration has provided little evidence supporting its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”
Critics have questioned legality of boat strikes.”