US Military Strikes Drug Boats

The United States military, specifically United States — United States Southern Command under the direction of General Francis Donovan (general) and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, has been conducting lethal kinetic strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean as part of Operation Southern Spear, a campaign initiated by the Trump administration. These strikes have resulted in at least 121 deaths since September, with recent incidents on February 9, February 5, and January 23 each killing two people. The administration labels those killed as 'unlawful combatants' and claims the ability to conduct these strikes without judicial review, citing a classified United States — United States Department of Justice finding. However, the legality of these operations has come under intense scrutiny from United States and military lawyers, who question the evidence linking the vessels to drug cartels and the lawfulness of the strikes. The United States is involved in search and rescue missions for survivors, with Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Ecuador coordinating some efforts.