Pentagon Resumes Strikes on Suspected Drug-Trafficking Boats

The Pentagon resumed military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats this week, ending a two-month pause. U.S. Southern Command oversees military operations across Latin America and the Caribbean. Officials said the renewed strikes target vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. In one recent strike, Southern Command said two people were killed. Officials described the targeted boat as traveling along what they called an established drug-trafficking route. The broader military campaign against suspected drug boats began nearly a year ago. Southern Command says the campaign has killed at least 223 people since it started. Supporters of the strikes argue they disrupt the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Critics, including some lawmakers and legal experts, have questioned how targets are identified before a strike occurs. They have also raised concerns about whether the strikes comply with international law. The strikes typically occur in international waters rather than near U.S. shores. Officials have not released detailed evidence for each strike, drawing criticism from transparency advocates. Supporters counter that the campaign has significantly disrupted major smuggling operations. The two-month pause before this week's resumed strikes was not fully explained by officials. The debate over the strikes touches on broader questions about executive power and military authority. Congress has held limited public hearings on the campaign so far. The issue is likely to remain contentious as the campaign continues.