The US military has confirmed the deaths of 11 men in strikes on three alleged drug smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The strikes, which took place on Monday, local time, were carried out by the US Southern Command, who stated that the vessels were traversing 'known narco-trafficking routes'. The command's X post revealed that the vessels were engaged in narco-trafficking operations, and that 4 men were killed on the first vessel in the Eastern Pacific, 4 on the second vessel in the Eastern Pacific, and 3 on the third vessel in the Caribbean. No US forces were harmed during the operations. The US military did not provide evidence of the alleged drug trafficking, and the strikes have sparked controversy and scrutiny from members of the US Congress, with concerns that some of the strikes may constitute war crimes. Since taking office for the second time in January last year, Mr. Trump has dramatically increased US interventions in Central and South America, including the recent seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his subsequent charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy.
