US Navy Strikes Suspected Drug Trafficking Vessel in Pacific Ocean, Kills 2

The US military has attacked a high-speed vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean. At least two people were killed in the attack on Friday, US authorities said. One person was rescued alive.

A video released by the US Southern Command shows a small vessel being targeted with a missile as it sailed through the sea. The vessel caught fire and was completely destroyed shortly after the attack.

The US military claims that the vessel was using a known route for illegal drug trafficking and was directly involved in the smuggling operation. However, the identity or condition of the person rescued alive has not been disclosed.

According to the Southern Command, the number of deaths in such operations in the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans since last September has exceeded 190. At least 58 operations have been conducted during the same period, where only four people have been rescued alive.

Meanwhile, the legality of such attacks has been debated internationally. Legal experts say that these operations may amount to extrajudicial killings, as the accused are not given the opportunity to defend themselves.

The international human rights organizations Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have strongly criticized the attacks. The organizations claim that lethal force is being used against the accused without revealing clear evidence of drug trafficking.

Although the Pentagon describes these operations as a “war on drugs and terrorism,” criticism is growing over the lack of specific evidence against those killed in the operations.