Southern Command confirmed a new attack on a narco vessel in the eastern Pacific
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The United States Army confirmed a new attack on a vessel linked to drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The operation left two drug traffickers dead, according to United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
The attack was carried out on a boat that was traveling along maritime routes identified as usual corridors for drug trafficking, according to United States intelligence information.
Military operation in international waters
SOUTHCOM detailed that the action was carried out in international waters and that no member of United States forces was injured during the operation. A video released on the command's official account on the social network X showed the moment of the explosion that destroyed the vessel.
The attack is part of a broader maritime interdiction strategy aimed at stopping drug trafficking to the United States and other countries in the region.
Estados Unidos destruyó otra embarcación vinculada al narcotráfico en el Pacífico
The Southern Lance plan and the offensive against drug trafficking
The operation is part of the Southern Lance plan, promoted by President Donald Trump's administration since September of last year. Since the beginning of this military campaign, the United States has carried out more than 36 attacks on vessels suspected of transporting drugs in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
The deployment includes warships, aircraft and surveillance systems, with the objective of cutting off the maritime routes used by Latin American cartels.
Regional pressure and political support
Estados Unidos destruyó otra embarcación vinculada al narcotráfico en el Pacífico
The United States military campaign is taking place in a context of growing pressure on Venezuela and Colombia, which Washington is demanding take greater action against the cartels. The White House classifies these organizations as "narcoterrorists," a definition that enables the use of military tools.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump defended the offensive and claimed that it has managed to intercept almost 100% of the drugs that enter by sea. He also stated that it is a "necessary escalation" and maintained, "We are in armed conflict with the cartels."
Debate in Congress and continuity of the attacks
In the United States Congress, Democratic lawmakers tried to limit presidential authority to order new bombings. However, the Republican majority blocked those initiatives and supported the legality of the operations.
Despite criticism over the lack of public evidence in some cases, the Pentagon confirmed a total of 37 bombings through early February. The United States administration stated that it will maintain preemptive attacks to protect national security and dismantle maritime drug trafficking networks.
