The United States military has killed three persons in a fresh strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, intensifying a controversial crackdown that has drawn global criticism.
The operation, carried out on Sunday by the US Southern Command, is the latest in a series of deadly attacks targeting boats allegedly linked to drug smuggling across Latin American waters.
In a statement, the command said the strike hit a vessel “operated by designated terrorist organisations,” claiming intelligence showed it was moving along known drug-trafficking routes.
It added that three male suspects were killed during the operation.
The latest action brings the number of people killed in the ongoing campaign to over 180 since it began in September, according to multiple reports.
The administration of former President Donald Trump has defended the strikes, insisting the US is engaged in a battle against what it describes as “narco-terrorists” threatening national security.
However, the operations have triggered mounting backlash from legal experts and human rights groups, who argue that Washington has failed to provide concrete evidence linking the targeted vessels to drug trafficking.
Critics have also questioned the legality of the strikes, warning they could amount to extrajudicial killings, as those targeted are not considered combatants under international law.
Reports indicate that the tempo of the strikes has increased in recent weeks, with several similar operations recorded in April alone, raising concerns over transparency and civilian casualties.
Despite the criticism, US authorities maintain that the campaign is necessary to curb the flow of illicit drugs into the country, even as calls grow for independent investigations into the killings and the broader strategy.