U.S. military conducts airstrike on vessel in eastern Pacific

The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) reported an airstrike on a speedboat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, claiming the vessel was involved in drug trafficking. Sources conflict regarding the human toll; one report states three men were killed, while another report mentions one fatality and two potential survivors. The U.S. military released a declassified video segment of the strike, labeling the individuals as 'narcoterrorists.' Since September 2025, the U.S. has engaged in a campaign of airstrikes against vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean, resulting in over 200 reported deaths. The Trump administration classifies these actions as part of a war against drug cartels, although it has not provided public evidence confirming the illegal activities of the targeted vessels. The legality of these strikes in international or foreign waters remains a subject of domestic and international criticism.