Overview
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Sunday attacks destroyed two boats in international waters in the eastern Pacific under orders from President Donald Trump.
- Officials claim the vessels were run by designated terrorist organizations and were carrying narcotics, releasing strike videos on X but providing no independently verifiable proof.
- The latest incidents bring reported deaths to about 75–76 across roughly 19 publicly disclosed strikes since September, with no U.S. casualties reported.
- The UN human-rights chief urged a prompt, independent investigation, warning of strong indications of extrajudicial executions and questioning the use-of-force framework.
- Lawmakers continue to press for evidence and a legal basis as the U.S. expands its naval presence, including movements involving the USS Gerald R. Ford, while Venezuela and others condemn the operations.