The U.S. military killed two people in a strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, resuming a controversial campaign that has faced criticism from legal experts.
The Aug. 23 strike, part of a nearly year-long operation targeting alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, was the first such attack in more than two month, according to
independent conflict monitor ACLED.The U.S. military's Southern Command said in a social media post that the strike targeted a "low-profile vessel" and that "intelligence revealed the vessel's active involvement in narco-trafficking," without providing evidence. SOUTHCOM described the two individuals who were killed as "narco-terrorists." The military released a video showing
the strike and the vessel on fire.
“Let me be clear, we will not permit narco-terrorists to operate with impunity in the Western Hemisphere, nor will we allow their deadly poison to reach American communities," SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis Donovan said in a statement.
More than 200 people have been killed in the military campaign, dubbed Operation Southern Spear, that began in September 2025 and has involved dozens of boat strikes.
Many legal experts have said the strikes amount to extrajudicial killings. The administration's decision to use military force rather than trying to apprehend suspected trafficking vessels and their cargo also has drawn bipartisan criticism from lawmakers. The administration has released no evidence that the boats being targeted were engaged in drug trafficking.
Administration officials have defended the legality of the military campaign.
"All operations are conducted deliberately and lawfully, in full compliance with U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict," SOUTHCOM said in a June statement.
Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 killed as strikes resume on alleged drug boats after two-month pause
