U.S. Military Strikes Target Drug Boats, Death Toll Surpasses 100

The U.S. military struck two more alleged drug-carrying boats on Thursday, bringing the total death toll from the monthslong campaign to upwards of 100, according to U.S. Southern Command. The latest strikes occurred in the Eastern Pacific along known narco-trafficking routes.

Five male narco-terrorists were killed in these two strikes, three in one boat and two in the other. Since the strikes began on September 2, 104 individuals have been killed. The campaign, directed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, was characterized as a necessary crackdown on narcotics trafficking by President Trump, who has framed the military actions as part of a 'non-international armed conflict' with drug cartels.

However, the strikes have sparked controversy, with criticism from Democrats and some Republicans questioning the legal authority of the military actions and the adequacy of evidence that the boats carried drugs destined for the United States.

Resolutions to curtail the strikes have been introduced in Congress but have not succeeded. Reports have also emerged that the military conducted follow-on strikes to eliminate survivors from the initial attacks.

In conjunction with this campaign, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the Caribbean and near Latin America, deploying naval vessels and fighter jets under 'Operation Southern Spear.' Trump is considering expanding the strikes to land-based drug targets.

The actions have faced strong criticism from the governments of Venezuela and Colombia, with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accusing Trump of seeking regime change.