A vessel suspected of drug trafficking exploded in flames Tuesday after a US military strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person and leaving two survivors in the water.
Video released by US Southern Command captured the moment the boat was struck and caught fire. The command said it immediately alerted the US Coast Guard to begin search and rescue operations for those aboard.
This latest operation is part of an escalating campaign that began in early September under the Trump administration, targeting vessels suspected of transporting narcotics through Latin American waters. The strikes, conducted in both the eastern Pacific and Caribbean regions, have resulted in at least 194 deaths so far.
The Pentagon has not disclosed evidence that the targeted vessels were actually carrying drugs. The military also has not explained the criteria used to identify ships for strikes or how it determines which boats pose a genuine threat.
A review announced last week by the Pentagon inspector general will examine whether the military followed its established targeting framework during these operations. That framework involves six phases: commander intent, target development, analysis, decision, execution, and assessment.
The inspector general's office said the evaluation was initiated independently and will focus on procedural compliance rather than the legal justification for the strikes themselves. The review will not investigate whether the military had the authority to conduct these attacks in the first place.
The strikes have drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, military experts, and international legal scholars who have questioned both their legality and their strategic necessity. Some have raised concerns about civilian casualties and the lack of transparency around targeting decisions.
The Trump administration has framed the campaign as part of a broader war against Latin American drug cartels, which it blames for fueling the opioid overdose crisis affecting American communities. Officials argue the military action is necessary to disrupt trafficking networks at their source.
Author James Rodriguez: "The body count keeps climbing while the Pentagon refuses to explain how it's picking targets or prove these boats were actually full of drugs."
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