In a move reflecting escalated anti-narcotics efforts, US forces have struck a vessel allegedly transporting drugs in the Pacific Ocean waters, the Pentagon reported. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the attack resulted in the deaths of two individuals on board, with no US personnel harmed in the operation.
The targeted ship was known to US intelligence services and was intercepted along a recognized trafficking route in international waters. This marks the first such strike in the Pacific, amidst broader ongoing counter-narcotics operations that began on September 2.
Footage of the assault shows a blue speedboat navigating through the ocean before being hit by US ordinance. Hegseth articulated a firm stance against both established and emerging threats, asserting that narco-terrorists will find no safe haven in the hemisphere.
There will be no refuge or forgiveness - only justice, he added.
The strike coincides with reports indicating that an unusually high number of casualties have occurred within similar operations, with at least 36 deaths recorded since the campaign began. Additionally, two survivors from a previous engagement were repatriated, although one remains hospitalized.
President Donald Trump’s administration has framed these military strikes as vital counter-narcotics measures, reiterating a commitment to dismantling drug-trafficking organizations labeled as terrorist groups. Tensions have spiked between the US and Colombia, with Trump describing Colombian President Gustavo Petro as an illegal drug leader over perceived lapses in the combat against drug production in the country.
US officials have noted that drug trafficking via the Pacific poses significant challenges, with most cocaine destined for American cities transported through this route, emphasizing the need for enhanced military presence in the region.
In summary, as US forces ramp up their operations against suspected drug traffic in the Pacific, the geopolitical implications of these actions are becoming increasingly apparent, particularly in the context of strained US-Colombia relations.
