One person killed in US military operation targeting suspected drug vessel

US Military Conducts Operation in Eastern Pacific, Resulting in Fatalities and Injuries

A US military operation in the Eastern Pacific has resulted in the deaths of at least one person and left two others stranded at sea, according to officials. The incident occurred on Tuesday as part of a larger military operation dubbed “Southern Spear”.

According to US Southern Command, a male individual was killed during the action, while two survivors were reported. The command stated that it immediately notified the US Coast Guard to activate its search and rescue system for the survivors.

A video posted by US Southern Command shows a boat speeding through water before exploding into flames. No survivors could be spotted in the video.

The operation is part of a broader military campaign aimed at targeting Latin American drug cartels, which the US government claims are responsible for fatal drug overdoses in many US communities. Since September, dozens of similar strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 194 people, according to an Associated Press tally.

US President Donald Trump has stated that the country is engaged in armed conflict with these organizations. The targeted vessel was reportedly operating along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific for drug trafficking purposes. However, no further details or evidence were provided to support this claim.

The US military’s actions have raised concerns among legal experts and rights groups, who argue that the strikes may amount to extrajudicial killings due to their apparent targeting of civilians.

Source: Al Jazeera