Two people were killed in a boat strike in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the Pentagon confirmed on Friday. The incident marks the sixth such attack this month as part of an ongoing campaign.
The operation targets individuals the Trump administration accuses of smuggling drugs at sea. The strike raises the confirmed death toll to at least 182 since the campaign began.
Details regarding the specific vessels or nationalities involved were not immediately released. The Pentagon declined to provide additional information about the location or timing of the strike.
The administration has framed these actions as a necessary measure to disrupt illegal drug trafficking networks. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the rising civilian casualty count.
The surge in strikes this month indicates an escalation in the military’s maritime interdiction efforts. Each incident is reviewed by defense officials for compliance with operational rules.
The Eastern Pacific has long been a key transit route for drug shipments headed toward the United States. Authorities have reported increased naval patrols and surveillance in the region.
The Pentagon’s acknowledgment of the growing death toll has sparked renewed debate over the use of force in counter-drug operations. No further statements from the White House or Defense Department were issued by Friday evening.
