• US military strikes a drug vessel, killing four men in the Eastern Pacific.
• This recent strike is part of a series of anti-narcotics operations directed by the Trump administration.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims the vessel was involved in smuggling drugs and operated by a designated terrorist organization.
• The attack marks the 14th in a two-month campaign, raising the death toll to at least 62.
• The strikes have raised legal concerns and criticisms regarding their justification and international law compliance.

On Wednesday, the U.S. military conducted a strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, as reported by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This operation was framed as part of the Trump administration's ongoing anti-narcotics campaign, which has included multiple strikes since its initiation on September 2, totaling at least 14 attacks, as per Hegseth's statements on social media and multiple sources. The attack was said to target a vessel known for "illicit narcotics smuggling," operating along a recognized narco-trafficking route, according to Reuters, CBS News, and BBC.

The strike is part of a controversial operation targeting alleged drug-trafficking organizations, and Hegseth has claimed that the U.S. forces faced no casualties during this particular mission. He emphasized the intent behind the strikes, stating, "The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores," as noted in multiple reports. The Pentagon chief's assertion hinged on the belief that the targeted vessel was run by a designated terrorist organization, reinforcing a military stance against what the Trump administration labels as "narco-terrorism," as mentioned by ABC News, Le Monde, and SCMP.

Despite claims of targeting narcotics operations, critics and legal experts have raised concerns regarding the legitimacy and evidence supporting these strikes. Discussions have emerged questioning the President’s authority to conduct such military actions without congressional approval, which some members perceive as potential violations of international law, as highlighted by various news outlets including India Times, Al Jazeera, and Anadolu Agency.