US Strike on Suspected Drug Boat in Caribbean Leaves 4 Dead

The United States has carried out another strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean Sea, killing four people, according to the U.S. military. Al Jazeera reported the incident.

The U.S. Southern Command said late Sunday, October 4, that the strike targeted suspected drug traffickers traveling along “established drug-trafficking routes” in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean regions.

The latest strike brings the number of people killed in U.S. military strikes on boats since September last year to at least 235. A total of 70 strikes have been carried out during that period, according to the report.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump launched the campaign under the name “Operation Southern Spear.” Trump has described the campaign against drug groups in Latin America as an “armed conflict” and has defended the strikes.

However, United Nations experts have expressed concern over the attacks. They said the strikes could violate international law and could potentially amount to crimes against humanity.

The U.S. military released video footage of the strike but did not provide evidence that the targeted boat was carrying drugs.

Meanwhile, the United States is working on a regional security agreement to strengthen joint military operations against drug groups in Latin America. The initiatives are being pursued through the “Shield of the Americas” alliance.