In a recent development, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed that the U.S. military has carried out a targeted strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, claiming it was involved in drug trafficking operations. This action led to the deaths of all four individuals onboard, amidst the ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to tackle drug cartels in the region.

Hegseth disclosed in a social media statement that intelligence suggested the vessel was navigating a known narco-trafficking route and was likely carrying narcotics at the time of the strike. The operation was said to take place in international waters, with no U.S. forces reported harmed during the encounter.

Accompanying Hegseth's announcement was a video which details the boat erupting into flames upon impact. This strike is part of a nearly two-month campaign by the U.S. military in South America, which has raised concerns about the true motivations behind the increased military presence, particularly amid speculation that these actions are aimed at the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accused by the U.S. of narcoterrorism.

However, the Trump administration has yet to present any substantial evidence linking the targeted boats to drug cartels or confirm the identities of the individuals killed during the military operations that commenced in early September.