• U.S. military conducted multiple strikes against alleged drug vessels in the Pacific.
• The operations have reportedly killed at least 105 individuals since September.
• Criticism arises regarding the evidence used to justify these strikes.
• Strikes aimed to increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
• The Pentagon labels strikes as part of a broader anti-drug trafficking campaign.

The U.S. military recently struck an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the death of one individual described as a "narco-terrorist." The U.S. Southern Command asserted that the operation targeted a boat linked to designated terrorist organizations operating along established narco-trafficking routes, and this is part of a growing military campaign aimed at intercepting drug shipments toward the U.S., according to CBS News and The Hill.

Since early September, the U.S. military has executed at least 29 strikes against alleged drug vessels, resulting in a combined toll of at least 105 fatalities. While proponents argue these actions help curb drug trafficking, critics have raised concerns regarding the lack of evidence supporting claims that these vessels were genuinely engaged in drug smuggling operations. Members of Congress, alongside human rights advocates, have described these actions as potential extrajudicial killings, according to NPR and The Hill.

The Trump administration has intensified its focus on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, framing him as the head of a drug-trafficking organization. Officials claim that the strikes not only restrict narcotics flow into the U.S. but also serve to exert additional pressure on Maduro's government. Notably, U.S. authorities have ramped up efforts to interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean region, aligning with this broader strategy, according to CBS News and NPR.

Despite the administration's assurances regarding the effectiveness of these military strikes, lawmakers continue to question the legality and necessity of the military's actions, particularly in light of supposed Congressional authorization and the nature of the intelligence employed to justify the strikes. In particular, some reports indicate that the targeted vessels may have been en route to Europe rather than the United States, challenging the narrative surrounding these military operations, according to NPR and The Hill.