Search Underway For Survivors After US Strikes On 3 Drug Boats

The U.S. military conducted strikes on three alleged drug vessels on Tuesday (December 30), leaving several survivors who jumped overboard. According to the U.S. Southern Command, these vessels were traveling in a convoy along known narco-trafficking routes in undisclosed international waters. The strikes resulted in the deaths of three individuals on one vessel, while crew members on the other two boats abandoned ship before their vessels were destroyed. The U.S. Coast Guard initiated a search-and-rescue operation for the survivors, deploying a C-130 aircraft to assist in the effort.

The strikes are part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to combat drug trafficking, which has included more than 30 strikes since September, resulting in over 100 deaths. The campaign has sparked debate in Washington, with some legal experts and Democratic lawmakers questioning the legality of these actions. President Donald Trump has defended the strikes as necessary to cut off the supply of illegal drugs to the United States, asserting that the U.S. is in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels.

The latest operation follows a pattern of increased military presence in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, aimed at pressuring Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been accused of supporting drug traffickers. The U.S. military has not disclosed the exact location of the recent strikes or provided evidence of the alleged drug trafficking activities. However, videos released by Southern Command show the vessels in close formation, which is described as unusual and indicative of narcotics transfer.

As the search for survivors continues, the incident highlights ongoing tensions and the controversial nature of the U.S. military's approach to combating drug trafficking in the region.