• US military strikes in the Eastern Pacific killed five alleged narco-terrorists.
• The total death toll from such operations has now exceeded 104 since September.
• The strikes aim to combat drug trafficking but face significant scrutiny and controversy.
• President Trump claims these actions are necessary for national security.
• International leaders express concern over potential humanitarian and geopolitical consequences.

The US military reported on Thursday it conducted strikes against two vessels in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of five individuals identified as "narco-terrorists." This incident brings the total fatalities from the US military campaign against drug trafficking to over 100 since its inception in early September, according to SCMP, Reuters, CBS News, and Al Jazeera.

The attacks reportedly involved "lethal kinetic strikes" executed under the direction of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, targeting vessels identified as trafficking narcotics. On the same day, the military acknowledged that strikes have continued to bring significant casualties, including three deaths from one vessel and two from another, as noted by Reuters and CBS News.

Critics argue that the military operations are escalating tensions with Latin American countries, with particular scrutiny from Venezuelan and Colombian officials who label these strikes as "extrajudicial killings." The Trump administration has maintained that such strikes are necessary to counter narcotraffickers, asserting the existence of an "armed conflict" with these organizations, according to CBS News and Al Jazeera.

In addition, the military has ramped up its presence in the region, reportedly involving around 15,000 personnel and a significant fleet of naval assets, prompting concerns from continental leaders about potential conflicts arising from US actions. Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has offered to mediate the situation, reflecting a broader anxiety over the escalating military engagement, as highlighted by Al Jazeera.