US military strikes drug trafficking-linked vessel, kills 3 men
What's the story
The United States military has launched a "lethal" strike on a vessel allegedly linked to drug trafficking in the Caribbean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday. The operation, ordered by President Donald Trump, took place in international waters and resulted in the deaths of three men on board. Hegseth confirmed that no US forces were harmed during this operation.
Operation expansion
Trump has approved multiple strikes on vessels suspected of narcotics
Since September, Trump has approved multiple strikes on vessels suspected of narcotics smuggling. The first strike targeted a Venezuelan vessel and killed 11 people, whom Trump described as "terrorists" linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, classified as a terrorist organization by the US administration. In recent weeks, the US has sent Navy ships to the Caribbean and F-35 stealth warplanes to Puerto Rico as part of its anti-drug trafficking campaign from South America.
Criticism voiced
UN human rights chief calls for independent investigation
However, these military operations have been met with increasing international criticism. On Friday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said, "These attacks—and their mounting human cost—are unacceptable. The US must halt such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats, whatever the criminal conduct alleged against them."
Policy change
Military operations a significant departure from US's long-standing approach
The military operations represent a significant departure from the US's long-standing approach to maritime drug smuggling, which was traditionally treated as a law enforcement issue, the New York Times said. Experts have raised concerns that using military force in such cases could violate international law. Despite these criticisms, Trump has defended his administration's actions as necessary to stop drugs from killing Americans.