Five More Killed in U.S. Military Operation in Pacific; Death Toll in Naval Drug Operation Surpasses 104

International Desk, PNN

The U.S. military has killed five more people in attacks on two ships in international waters of the Pacific, bringing the death toll in the Trump administration’s naval anti-drug operation since September to at least 104.

According to SOUTHCOM, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s orders, “lethal kinetic strikes” were carried out on two ships in the Eastern Pacific, killing three on one and two on the other. A previous attack in the same area killed four. The U.S. military labeled the victims as “male narco-terrorists,” but no proof has been provided linking nearly 30 destroyed ships since September to drug operations.

Hegseth has faced criticism for reportedly ordering a second strike on survivors floating among the wreckage. International law experts consider attacking people in the wreckage a war crime. Latin American leaders and legal experts have condemned the operation as “extrajudicial killing.” Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump cited anti-drug objectives and threatened regime change in Venezuela, imposing a naval blockade on all Venezuelan oil tankers.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have proposed mediation between the U.S. and Venezuela. About 15,000 U.S. troops, 11 warships, the largest U.S. aircraft carrier, and F-35 jets are currently deployed, creating significant military tension in Latin America.