SOUTHCOM Reports Lethal Strike on Suspected Drug Boat in Eastern Pacific

Fox News reports that U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) says it struck a vessel in the eastern Pacific on Oct. 27, killing five people it called "narco-terrorists."

Snapshot

Fox News relays a SOUTHCOM statement that a strike on a suspected drug-running boat in the eastern Pacific killed five people, part of a wider campaign the Associated Press links to at least 240 deaths. The military has generally not named the dead or shown proof of drugs aboard, and lawmakers, legal experts and rights groups have questioned the legal basis for the strikes.

Key points

• The statement: SOUTHCOM said Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere struck a go-fast vessel operating along established trafficking routes, and cited confirmed intelligence.
• Location: SOUTHCOM did not say where the strike happened beyond the eastern Pacific.
• Campaign total: The Associated Press counts at least 240 deaths in more than 70 strikes during the Trump administration's campaign against suspected cartel vessels.
• Questions raised: The military has generally not identified those killed or offered evidence that the vessels carried narcotics. Lawmakers, legal experts and human rights groups have questioned the legal basis.

Quick take

Fox News reports that last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. can act alone but prefers working with regional allies. He added that decisions come case by case, and the U.S. would "still blow up ships if need be."

Read the full story at Fox News.