The U.S. military recently executed a lethal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. This operation, overseen by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, targeted a boat involved in narcotics trafficking along a recognized narco-trafficking route.
While the U.S. Southern Command released a video of the vessel before the attack, they did not provide additional evidence to support the claims of its drug activities. This strike represents the 26th operation in a series launched by the Trump administration to deter drug trafficking in the region, which has led to at least 99 fatalities since early September. President Trump has characterized these actions as part of an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, aimed at curbing the influx of illegal drugs into the U.S.
The campaign has drawn increasing scrutiny from lawmakers. On December 17, the House of Representatives rejected two Democratic resolutions intended to limit President Trump’s military authority against drug cartels and Venezuela, emphasizing the necessity for congressional oversight in military actions.
The Senate also took action on December 17, approving a $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2026, which included a 3.8% pay raise for troops, maintained troop levels in Europe and South Korea, and allocated $400 million annually to support weapons aid for Ukraine. Notably, the NDAA requires greater transparency from Secretary Hegseth concerning U.S. military strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels near Venezuela.
These events highlight ongoing debates regarding the U.S. military’s role in combating drug trafficking, raising significant questions about international relations and domestic policy oversight.
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