U.S. Military Conducts Third Pacific Ocean Strike this Week Against Alleged Drug Smuggling Boat

The U.S. military conducted another strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Friday. This vessel was suspected of smuggling drugs. The operation resulted in the deaths of three men. This marks the third such incident in the past week, bringing the death toll from these actions to over 200 people.

The U.S. Southern Command oversees military operations in Latin America south of Mexico and the Caribbean. They announced this recent action as part of a long-running campaign targeting boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific. They claimed the targeted vessel was involved in “narco-trafficking operations” and linked to a designated terrorist organization, though they provided no specific evidence.

Unlike previous announcements, which featured black-and-white footage, this one included a color video. The video illustrates a small vessel in the ocean, struck and engulfed in flames. Debris, identified as parcels or objects, spread across the water. This footage represents a strike occurring on May 29, 2026, which reportedly killed three individuals.

The strike was ordered by Gen. Francis L. Donovan, U.S. Southern Command’s top commander in Latin America. On the same day, he also engaged in discussions with Cuban military leaders at Guantanamo Bay.

Since the U.S. began these strikes in early September, the total death toll has reached at least 202 individuals. Other attacks during the week occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Trump administration previously stated the U.S. is engaged in armed conflict with Latin American drug cartels, which they accuse of supplying drugs to American communities.

There were adjustments to the death toll as some survivors initially reported by the military have not been found. The legitimacy of these strikes has been questioned by experts. A follow-up action, referred to as a “double tap,” conducted on September 2, led to the deaths of two survivors from an initial strike. This move has sparked debates among lawmakers over whether it might constitute a war crime.