US Military's Operation Aspides Faces Scrutiny Over Treatment of Survivors
The US military's Operation Aspides, targeting alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, has come under scrutiny due to the varied treatment of survivors from these strikes. At least five individuals have survived initial attacks, which resulted in explosions that killed other crew members and disabled their vessels. The treatment of these survivors has been inconsistent, with some being detained and returned to their home countries, while others were left in the ocean or killed in subsequent strikes. The operation has led to the deaths of 87 people on 23 boats, and the handling of survivors has raised questions about potential violations of international law. Democratic lawmakers have demanded explanations, particularly regarding a follow-up strike on September 2 that killed two survivors clinging to a damaged boat. 
