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The U.S. military said Sunday it destroyed two boats suspected of drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing five people and leaving one survivor, as the Trump administration continues a broader campaign against trafficking networks in Latin America.
United States Southern Command said the strikes occurred Saturday along known ocean smuggling routes. The command did not provide evidence that the vessels were carrying narcotics but said they were targeted as part of ongoing operations against what officials describe as narcoterrorists.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show small boats moving across open water before being hit by explosions.
The military said it alerted the United States Coast Guard to begin search-and-rescue efforts for the lone survivor. The Coast Guard confirmed it is coordinating the response and will provide updates as available.
The latest incident brings the reported number of deaths from similar U.S. operations to at least 168 since the Pentagon began targeting suspected traffickers in early September.
President Trump has described the campaign as part of an armed conflict with drug cartels, arguing that more aggressive action is needed to curb the flow of narcotics into the United States and address overdose deaths.
Critics have raised concerns about the legality and effectiveness of the strikes, noting that much of the fentanyl responsible for overdose deaths is trafficked over land routes through Mexico, where it is produced using precursor chemicals sourced from abroad.
The maritime operations come as U.S. military attention is also focused on tensions in the Middle East. On Sunday, President Trump said the U.S. Navy would begin enforcing a blockade tied to Iranian ports following unsuccessful ceasefire talks with Tehran.
United States Central Command has said the planned blockade will target vessels connected to Iran while maintaining navigation access through key regional waterways.
The overlapping operations underscore the administration’s expanding use of military force in both counter-narcotics efforts and international conflicts.