The U.S. military conducted two separate lethal strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing three individuals. The strikes occurred on May 26 and May 27 as part of Operation Southern Spear, a joint task force under U.S. Southern Command. The first strike killed one person and left two survivors, while the second strike killed two individuals. No U.S. military personnel were harmed in either incident.
The Pentagon announced a review of the targeting framework used in these strikes, though it will not assess their legality. The Trump administration has framed the campaign as part of a broader war against Latin American drug cartels, citing their role in U.S. drug overdoses. However, the military has not provided evidence that the targeted vessels were carrying drugs, raising questions about the strikes' justification.
The strikes are part of a broader campaign that began in September 2023, resulting in at least 196 deaths. Democratic lawmakers and military legal scholars have criticized the operations, while the administration defends them as necessary to combat drug trafficking.