16.12.2025 09:07
The U.S. military, under the orders of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, conducted air and naval strikes on three boats in the Eastern Pacific that were alleged to be "carrying drugs and linked to terrorist organizations." While eight individuals aboard the boats were reported killed, it was claimed that the boats were struck in international waters. The recent series of attacks carried out by the U.S. military in the Caribbean region has sparked discussions in the international community about "extrajudicial killings."
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced that it struck 3 boats allegedly carrying drugs in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of 8 individuals.
ORDER FROM DEFENSE SECRETARY HEGSETH
In a statement on its website regarding the attacks, SOUTHCOM noted that air and sea strikes were carried out yesterday against 3 boats alleged to be "carrying drugs and linked to terrorist organizations" under the orders of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
8 PEOPLE KILLED
The statement indicated that a total of 8 people aboard the boats were killed, with 3 on the first boat, 2 on the second, and 3 on the third. It was claimed that the boats were struck in international waters.
TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER
U.S. President Donald Trump had issued an executive order calling for the increased and effective use of the military to combat Latin American drug cartels.
In this context, the U.S. sent a naval force consisting of submarines and warships to the waters off Venezuela at the end of August, and Defense Secretary Hegseth stated that the U.S. military was prepared for operations, including regime change, in Venezuela.
The recent attacks by the U.S. military on certain boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, based on allegations of drug trafficking, and the direct targeting of individuals aboard have sparked discussions of "extrajudicial killings" in the international community.