US Launches Lethal Strike on Alleged Narco-Terrorist Vessel in Pacific Ocean

Strategic Insights -

The US Department of War, under the direction of President Donald Trump, launched a "lethal kinetic strike" against a vessel allegedly carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean. According to secretary of war Pete Hegseth, three people, referred to as "narco-terrorists," were killed in the strike, with no US forces harmed. The strike was carried out in a targeted operation against a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) accused of illicit narcotics smuggling. Hegseth stated that these strikes will continue, emphasizing the threat posed by narco-terrorists to the American people.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US Department of War launched a "lethal kinetic strike" against a vessel allegedly carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Wednesday.
  • Three people, referred to as "narco-terrorists," were killed in the strike, while no US forces were harmed.
  • The vessel was operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) accused of illicit narcotics smuggling and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route.
  • Hegseth shared a video of the strike on X, stating that these strikes will continue and that DTOs "are the 'Al Qaeda' of our hemisphere and will not escape justice."
  • The US forces have conducted nine strikes against vessels allegedly involved in narco-trafficking, resulting in 37 casualties.
  • Of the nine strikes, the last seven were conducted in the Caribbean, while the latest two were carried out in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Statistics:

  • 37 people have been killed in US strikes against narco-trafficking vessels.
  • 9 strikes have been conducted against vessels allegedly involved in narco-trafficking.
  • The last seven strikes were conducted in the Caribbean, while the latest two were carried out in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Sources:

  • ["US launches lethal kinetic strike on alleged narco-terrorist vessel in Pacific Ocean", Hindustan Times, 2023-10-23]