Increase in US military attacks in the Pacific

The United States military has carried out another strike on a suspected drug vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The operation has sparked renewed debate over the legality of such actions.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces mounting scrutiny following a prior strike in the Caribbean, which some members of Congress have suggested could constitute a war crime. Concerns have also been raised about his reliance on unsecured communication channels.

Experts note that the core issue is not solely whether the strike on the survivors was lawful. As highlighted by The New York Times, An unarmed speedboat does not qualify as a warship, meaning that civilian law, rather than military rules of engagement, should apply. In civilian terms, using lethal force in such circumstances could be considered criminal, similar to police shooting suspected drug offenders on the street.

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• US military ramps up strikes in Pacific