Overview
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said both targets were in international waters in the eastern Pacific and linked by intelligence to narcotics smuggling by designated terrorist organizations.
- The new action brings acknowledged totals to roughly 19 strikes, at least 75–76 people killed, and 20 or more vessels destroyed, with no U.S. casualties reported.
- Officials have posted strike videos but provided no public proof that drugs were aboard or who was on the boats, and earlier survivors were repatriated without charges.
- The administration has told Congress it is in an “armed conflict” with cartels based on classified Justice Department opinions, as lawmakers seek the opinions and details on target selection.
- The maritime campaign coincides with a significant U.S. force buildup in the region and mounting criticism from human-rights officials and regional governments, including a UN call for investigations.