WASHINGTON (AFP)—A United States military operation in the eastern Pacific Ocean resulted in two fatalities and the rescue of a survivor after forces targeted a vessel suspected of drug smuggling, officials confirmed on Friday.
US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) disclosed details of the Thursday strike in a social media statement, identifying the target as a ‘low-profile vessel’ navigating established narco-trafficking corridors while allegedly engaged in illicit drug operations. The command characterized the engagement as ‘lethal’ but initially withheld casualty figures, only noting that the Coast Guard had been promptly alerted to search for three individuals.
A subsequent statement from the Coast Guard revealed their vessel responded to distress reports and recovered two deceased persons along with one survivor from the waters. All three individuals were transferred to the custody of the Costa Rican Coast Guard for further processing.
This incident marks the latest in a series of maritime interventions initiated by US forces since early September, with cumulative fatalities from these operations now approaching 160 persons. The Trump administration has framed these actions as essential components of its campaign against what it terms ‘narco-terrorist’ networks operating throughout Latin America.
However, the legal foundation of these strikes faces mounting scrutiny. The administration has not publicly presented conclusive evidence verifying the drug trafficking involvement of each targeted vessel, raising concerns among international law experts and human rights organizations. Critics contend these operations may constitute extrajudicial killings, particularly given that targeted vessels typically pose no immediate threat to US forces.
This maritime enforcement activity occurs alongside broader regional deployments, including heightened US military presence in the Caribbean where recent operations have included vessel seizures, oil tanker interdictions, and even a controversial incursion into Venezuela’s capital targeting leftist leader Nicolas Maduro.