US military destroys suspected drug boat in eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of 4 'narco-terrorists'

The United States military carried out another operation in the eastern Pacific on Thursday, destroying a vessel reportedly involved in drug trafficking and killing four men described as "narco-terrorists." The strike marked another fatal mission in the ongoing counternarcotics effort, which has faced increased attention following an earlier U.S. action in September.

According to U.S. Southern Command, the targeted boat was operating in international waters and was controlled by an organization identified as a terrorist group, though officials did not specify which one. Military sources stated that the vessel was loaded with illegal substances and was moving along a route known for drug smuggling activity.

A 21-second video released by the U.S. military shows the strike hitting the boat, which then erupts into flames. The attack coincided with Navy Adm. Frank Bradleys appearance before Congress, where he addressed lawmakers regarding the September 2 operation in the Caribbean that left 11 people dead. Bradley, who leads Joint Special Operations Command, rejected claims that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered personnel to kill everyone on board during that mission.

Lawmakers from both political parties requested further clarity from the administration about the September 2 operation, during which four strikes were carried out two aimed at killing those on the vessel and two more intended to sink it.

Since early September, U.S. forces have launched over 20 strikes against suspected drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, resulting in at least 87 deaths, officials said. Thursdays action was the first recorded strike in the region since mid-November, when another suspected trafficking boat was destroyed, killing three individuals labeled as "narco-terrorists."

Author: Connor Blake