Southern Command says intelligence tied the boat to narcotics trafficking, but officials have not released the identities of those killed or evidence showing its cargo.
The U.S. military said four people were killed Saturday when American forces struck a vessel in the Caribbean that officials described as being involved in narcotics trafficking.
U.S. Southern Command released video of the strike and said intelligence confirmed the vessel was operating along a known drug-smuggling route. Officials did not disclose the boat’s precise location, identify those killed or publicly release evidence showing drugs aboard the vessel.
The Associated Press reported that at least 231 people have been killed in 69 American strikes on suspected drug vessels during the past year.
The Trump administration says the United States is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels and describes those targeted as narcoterrorists. Human-rights organizations and other critics contend the strikes may constitute unlawful extrajudicial killings when suspects could instead be intercepted and prosecuted.
Regional governments have increased cooperation with Washington against trafficking networks, although questions remain about the scope and legal basis of particular operations.
The strike comes amid a broader congressional debate over presidential war powers. Read THRIVE!’s coverage of the House vote challenging unauthorized U.S. hostilities with Iran.
