US strikes another alleged drug-smuggling boat in eastern Pacific
[December 23, 2025]
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said Monday that it had
conducted another strike against a boat it said was smuggling drugs in
the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person.
In a social media post, U.S. Southern Command said, “Intelligence
confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking
routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking
operations.” Southern Command provided no evidence that the vessel was
engaged in drug smuggling.
|
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks as President Donald Trump looks
on, at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach,
Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) |
|
A video posted by U.S. Southern Command shows splashes of water
near one side of the boat. After a second salvo, the rear of the
boat catches fire. More splashes engulf the craft and the fire
grows. In the final second of the video, the vessel can be seen
adrift with a large patch of fire alongside it.
Earlier videos of U.S. boat strikes showed vessels suddenly
exploding, suggesting missile strikes. Some strike videos even
had visible rocket-like projectiles coming down on the boats.
The Trump administration has said the strikes were meant to stop
the flow of drugs into the U.S. and increase pressure on
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
At least 105 people have been killed in 29 known strikes since
early September. The strikes have faced scrutiny from U.S.
lawmakers and human rights activists, who say the administration
has offered scant evidence that its targets are indeed drug
smugglers and say the fatal strikes amount to extrajudicial
killings.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard has stepped up efforts to
interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Trump
administration’s escalating campaign against Maduro.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
|
