The United States has intensified its campaign against maritime drug trafficking with a series of lethal strikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in multiple fatalities. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on X that a recent operation, authorized by President Donald Trump, targeted a vessel suspected of transporting illegal drugs, killing four men. This follows a similar strike earlier in the week that claimed 14 lives. The White House has framed these actions as part of a broader strategy to curb the flow of narcotics into the US via the Pacific and Caribbean. Hegseth emphasized that the Western Hemisphere will no longer be a sanctuary for drug traffickers, vowing to continue such operations. The strikes, conducted in international waters, have drawn criticism from regional governments and legal experts, with concerns raised about their legality and the president’s authority to order them. The US has also bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying advanced assets like the USS Gerald R Ford. Tensions have escalated with Colombia and Venezuela, the latter accusing the US of attempting to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro and exploit the country’s natural resources. The US does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader following the disputed 2024 election.