One killed in US boat strike in eastern Pacific Ocean

A U.S. military operation in the eastern Pacific Ocean resulted in the death of one individual on Tuesday, as part of an ongoing campaign against alleged drug traffickers. The lethal kinetic strike was conducted under Operation Southern Spear, initiated last September by the Trump administration to combat cartels operating from Latin America.

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed on X that intelligence indicated the targeted vessel was traversing known narco-trafficking routes and was actively engaged in illicit operations. According to SOUTHCOM, two other individuals survived the strike, and the U.S. Coast Guard launched search and rescue efforts to locate them.

This incident is part of a broader U.S. military effort that has reportedly led to over 200 deaths through strikes in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, according to an AFP tally. The campaign's methods have drawn scrutiny from legal experts and human rights groups.

These groups argue that the strikes may amount to extrajudicial killings. Their concern stems from the apparent targeting of individuals who, while potentially involved in drug trafficking, may not pose an immediate threat to the United States, raising questions about due process and the proportionality of the force used.

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Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.