Washington Expands Maritime Offensive Against Smuggling Networks
The U.S. military launched a second strike this week on boats accused of trafficking narcotics in the eastern Pacific Ocean, leaving three people dead, according to defense officials. The latest action follows an earlier operation that killed two individuals, reflecting a growing U.S. campaign aimed at dismantling drug networks operating in international waters.
Pentagon: Targets Were Operating on Known Trafficking Routes
Officials said the vessels were intercepted in open waters frequently used by smuggling operations and were believed to be controlled by a group designated as a terrorist organization. The Pentagon confirmed the strike was conducted without any American casualties and described it as part of an ongoing effort to limit the reach of transnational crime across maritime corridors.
Regional Leaders Question Legality of U.S. Operations
The new round of strikes has triggered concern from Latin American governments, with some warning that such actions could blur the line between military and law enforcement roles. Observers say the expansion of U.S. operations into the Pacific raises complex legal and diplomatic issues that may test Washington’s relations with its regional partners.
