A U.S. military strike targeting a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean has left two people dead and one survivor rescued, according to United States Southern Command.
Footage released by Southern Command on Friday showed what appeared to be a dark vessel at sea moments before an explosion erupted, sending flames and smoke rising above the water.
Military officials said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking networks operating across Latin American waters. Following the strike, authorities said the United States Coast Guard was immediately alerted to begin a search-and-rescue mission for the lone survivor.
The incident comes just days after the White House announced that President Donald Trump approved a new counterterrorism strategy focused heavily on eliminating drug cartels throughout the Western Hemisphere.
According to reports, the Trump administration has intensified military operations targeting suspected cartel-linked vessels in both the eastern Pacific and Caribbean regions since September. Human rights groups and critics have raised concerns over the legality and transparency of the strikes, especially after officials reportedly failed to publicly provide evidence confirming that targeted boats were transporting narcotics.
The latest operation adds to a growing death toll linked to the anti-cartel campaign, which has reportedly resulted in nearly 200 fatalities across maritime strikes in recent months.
The administration argues that transnational drug cartels and criminal gangs pose a major threat to regional security and has pushed Latin American governments to increase cooperation with U.S. military and law enforcement efforts.
Critics, however, continue questioning whether the operations comply with international law and whether sufficient safeguards exist to verify targets before military force is used.
The identities and nationalities of the deceased individuals involved in Friday’s strike have not yet been released.