The US Department of Defense has confirmed the execution of targeted strikes on four suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed that one survivor was rescued by Mexican search-and-rescue teams. This operation, authorized by President Donald Trump, represents a significant escalation in the US campaign against drug traffickers, which has now claimed at least 57 lives. The strikes have predominantly occurred off the coasts of South America, particularly in the Caribbean, but have recently expanded to the Pacific, a major drug-trafficking corridor. The US claims the vessels were identified through intelligence and were traversing known narco-trafficking routes. However, the legality of these strikes has been questioned by international law experts and regional governments, including Colombia and Venezuela. Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister Mauricio Jaramillo criticized the operations as “disproportionate and outside international law,” emphasizing the lack of due process for those targeted. The strikes have exacerbated tensions between the US and both Colombia and Venezuela, with the US imposing sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro for allegedly failing to curb drug trafficking. Additionally, the US has deployed significant military assets, including the USS Gerald R Ford, to the Caribbean, raising concerns in Venezuela that the buildup aims to destabilize President Nicolas Maduro’s government. Trump has accused Maduro of leading a drug-trafficking organization, a claim Maduro denies. The situation remains volatile as the US considers expanding its campaign to include land-based targets.