US military conducts fourth drug boat strike this week, killing three in eastern Pacific
5 verified4 unconfirmed
The U.S. military carried out another strike on an alleged drug boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Saturday, killing three men, according to U.S. Southern Command. The attack was the fourth such strike announced by SOUTHCOM in the past week, part of a broader campaign against vessels accused of smuggling drugs. Officials stated the vessel was operated by a designated terrorist organization and was transiting known narco-trafficking routes. No U.S. military personnel were harmed in the operation. The strikes have been ordered by Gen. Francis L. Donovan, the SOUTHCOM commander. The Trump administration has declared an armed conflict with Latin American drug cartels, citing the flow of drugs into the U.S.
What’s verified
A U.S. military strike on Saturday killed three men on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
The attack was the fourth such strike announced by U.S. Southern Command in the past week.
SOUTHCOM stated the vessel was engaged in narco-trafficking operations and operated by a designated terrorist organization.
No U.S. military personnel were harmed in the strike.
The strike was directed by Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command.
Not yet confirmed
One source reports the total death toll from the series of strikes is 205 and that the campaign began in early September; the other source does not mention a cumulative toll or start date.
One source provides casualty details for previous strikes this week (Tuesday: one killed, two survivors; Wednesday: two killed; Friday: three killed); the other source only notes that Saturday’s strike was the fourth this week.
One source states the U.S. also conducted self-defense strikes against Iran over the same weekend; the other source does not mention Iran.
One source notes that SOUTHCOM provided no evidence for its allegations about the vessel; the other source does not address this.
Key figures
Gen. Francis L. Donovan – commander of U.S. Southern Command
Sources: foxnews.com, abcnews.com
