US strikes drug boats

Under the direction of SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear targeted two boats that intelligence confirmed were transiting known narco-trafficking routes.

The strikes were carried out as part of a broader surge in maritime interdiction efforts aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States.

While the military hailed the operation as a success, the use of lethal force against suspected traffickers has drawn scrutiny from international human rights observers.

A search and rescue mission was launched for a second potential survivor, but no further individuals have been located.