• U.S. military killed four people in a strike on an alleged drug boat, marking the fourth attack in as many days.
• The total death toll from these military operations has reached at least 175 since they began in early September.
• Critics claim the operations likely amount to extrajudicial killings of civilians, raising legal concerns.
• The strikes target boats claimed to be involved in drug trafficking, but evidence has not been provided.

The U.S. military conducted a lethal strike on another alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. This marks the fourth such operation in just four days, raising the overall death toll to at least 175 since the operations commenced in September. U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) provided aerial footage of the attack, which showed a boat being struck by a projectile, resulting in an explosion, according to CBS News, South China Morning Post, and Al Jazeera.

The strikes have provoked significant controversy, particularly regarding their legality. Critics, including international legal experts, argue that these actions may constitute extrajudicial killings, as many of those targeted are believed to be civilians rather than armed threats. "If some vessels were involved in drug trafficking, those on board should face the law, rather than deadly attacks," highlighted one legal expert, according to South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

Furthermore, despite the U.S. government's assertions that these strikes are part of a broader combat against "narco-terrorists," the lack of evidence supporting the involvement of those on these vessels in drug trafficking has raised questions about the efficacy of these operations. Many fatalities are associated with the trafficking of fentanyl, a substance primarily transported overland from Mexico. This discrepancy raises concerns about the military's strategy, according to CBS News and Al Jazeera.