US Strike on Drug Boat Kills 3 in Caribbean

Washington: A U.S. military strike on a boat suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea killed three people, marking the latest escalation in a controversial anti-narcotics campaign.

The operation, carried out Sunday, is part of a broader series of strikes targeting vessels along known smuggling routes in Latin American waters.

Ongoing Military Campaign

The strikes began in September and have since resulted in at least 180 deaths across the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, according to official figures.

Despite ongoing global conflicts, including tensions involving Iran, the United States has continued and recently intensified these operations.

No Evidence Publicly Provided

U.S. Southern Command said the targeted vessel was involved in narcotics trafficking, but authorities have not presented public evidence confirming that the boats carried drugs.

Video released by the military showed a vessel moving across the water before being destroyed in a large explosion.

Policy Framed as 'Narcoterrorism' Fight

President Donald Trump has described the campaign as part of an "armed conflict" against drug cartels, arguing that aggressive action is needed to curb drug flows and overdose deaths in the United States.

The operations expanded alongside a broader U.S. military buildup in the region and followed the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.

Legal and Human Rights Concerns

Critics, including legal experts and human rights groups, have questioned the legality of the strikes, arguing that targeting suspected traffickers without due process may violate international law.

Some observers warn that the lack of transparency and evidence could raise serious accountability issues as the campaign continues.

Related: Read also: Debate Over Trump's Iran Threats, Venezuela Leadership Crisis Continues, Haiti Protests Over Rising Fuel Prices.