'Three narco-terrorists' killed in new US attack in Pacific. Trump hints at possible ground operations in Venezuela
The US military has launched a new attack on a vessel suspected of involvement in drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the death of three people. The action is part of the Trump administration's controversial campaign against “narco-terrorism”, which could be extended to ground attacks in Venezuela.
“Three narco-terrorists”, killed in a new American attack in the Pacific PHOTO: Video capture
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday evening on Platform X that the U.S. military had carried out a new attack on a vessel in “in international waters” from the eastern Pacific Ocean. “Once again, the now-deceased terrorists were involved in drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific”Hegseth wrote, also posting a 30-second video recording the moment the ship exploded.
According to the official, “the three narco-terrorists” on board were killed during the attack. In the past 24 hours, the US military has killed a total of five suspected drug traffickers in two separate operations, both in the Pacific.
Expansion of the military campaign
These attacks mark a new stage in the anti-drug campaign launched by the Trump administration, after several similar operations carried out in the Caribbean. To date, at least 37 people have died as a result of these actions – 32 in the Caribbean and 5 in the Pacific.
“The vessel was known by our intelligence services to be involved in illicit narcotics trafficking, transiting a route known for drug trafficking and transporting narcotics,” Hegseth stated, without providing further evidence.
Video Source: X / Pete Hegseth
Despite the high death toll, the US administration has not provided clear details about the quantities of drugs allegedly carried by the targeted vessels or the evidence that justified the use of lethal force.
Trump: “Every attack saves American lives”
When asked by the press about the new attacks, Donald Trump stated that his administration has “legal authority” for these operations. “I believe that every attack saves American liveshe said.
At the same time, the American president reiterated the possibility of expanding the campaign against drug traffickers through ground attacks in Venezuela. “We'll probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what we're doing when we get on land.”Trump said. “We are not required to do this, but I think I would like to“, he added.
Questions about legality and the role of the military
Several US legal experts have questioned the legality of these military actions and why they are being carried out by the military and not the Coast Guard, the agency responsible for enforcing the law at sea.
The attacks in the Pacific come amid an expanded US military presence in the Caribbean region, where the US has deployed guided-missile destroyers, F-35 jets, a nuclear submarine and about 6,500 troops.
Operation “Viper” and recent seizures
In August, the Coast Guard launched Operation Viper, a large-scale mission to combat drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean. On October 15, the institution announced the seizure of more than 100,000 kilograms of cocaine. It is not clear, however, why the Trump administration decided to use the military for airstrikes instead of intercept and capture actions.
Last week, Reuters reported that two alleged drug traffickers had survived a US raid in the Caribbean. They were rescued by a US Navy ship and later repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador.
