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US Military Carries Out Lethal Strike on Alleged Drug Smugglers in Caribbean

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The US military has carried out another lethal strike on alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announcing the strike on social media. This is at least the 15th such strike carried out by the US military in the Caribbean or eastern Pacific since early September. The strike targeted a vessel operated by a US-designated terrorist organization, but Hegseth did not name the group. Three people were killed in the strike, bringing the total number of people killed in these strikes to at least 64.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US military has carried out at least 15 lethal strikes on alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean or eastern Pacific since early September, resulting in the deaths of at least 64 people.
  • The latest strike targeted a vessel operated by a US-designated terrorist organization, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not name the group.
  • The US military has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States, with President Trump asserting that the US is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels.
  • Senate Democrats have renewed their request for more information about the strikes, requesting that the administration release legal opinions related to the strikes and a list of designated targetable groups.
  • The administration has been criticized for selectively sharing information about the strikes with some members of Congress, while excluding others.
  • The Trump administration has designated certain drug cartels as terrorist organizations, but has not publicly disclosed which groups have been targeted by the US military.

Statistics:

  • At least 15 lethal strikes have been carried out by the US military in the Caribbean or eastern Pacific since early September.
  • At least 64 people have been killed in these strikes.
  • The US military has designated certain drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
  • The administration has prior to the September strikes provided no publicly disclosed information related to any other intervals.
  • The latest strike marked the 15th of its kind, further increasing the number of total lethal strikes.

Sources:

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
  • HT Digital Content Services
  • New Delhi Times
  • Senate Democrats
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
  • Sens. Jack Reed, Jeanne Shaheen, Mark Warner, Chris Coons, Patty Murray and Brian Schatz.

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