The US military has killed four more people in its fourth deadly attack on vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean over the past four days, according to the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The attack was confirmed through a social media post on Tuesday, which included a video showing a stationary boat with outboard engines being struck by a missile and exploding into a huge ball of flames.

Claims of Narco-Terrorists Without Evidence

SOUTHCOM, which oversees US military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, stated that the four people killed were “narco-terrorists.” However, the command provided no evidence to support this claim. The justification for the lethal attack. According to SOUTHCOM. Was based on intelligence that confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations, while the details of the intelligence were not disclosed to the public.

The latest incident brings the overall death toll to at least 175 since early September, when US President Donald Trump ordered the attacks to stop what the White House claims are Latin American cartels transporting drugs to the US. Tuesday’s killings came after two people were killed in a US strike on Monday, and five people were killed in two separate strikes on Saturday, also in the eastern Pacific.

Search for Survivor Suspended

The Associated Press news agency reported that the US coastguard has suspended a search for one survivor from the two attacks reported on Saturday; International legal experts and rights groups have criticized the US military campaign, calling it “extrajudicial killings” in international waters. They argue that the attacks have targeted civilian fishing boats, which are not typically involved in drug trafficking.

Legal experts have stated that if some vessels were involved in drug trafficking, those on board should face the law, rather than deadly attacks. Critics have also questioned the effectiveness of the US military operation in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses in the US, which Trump has used to justify his campaign, is typically trafficked to the US over land from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.

Controversy Over Military Actions

Over the past four days. US forces have conducted multiple strikes on vessels in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals on Tuesday alone. This brings the total number of deaths to at least 175 since early September; the attacks have been justified by the US military based on intelligence reports, though the specifics of these reports have not been made public.

According to SOUTHCOM. The attacks are aimed at stopping Latin American cartels from transporting drugs to the US. However, critics argue that the approach has not been effective, as most of the drugs entering the US are trafficked through land routes rather than by sea. The use of lethal force against suspected drug traffickers in international waters has raised concerns about the legality and morality of such actions.

The latest strike has reignited debates about the US military’s role in combating drug trafficking. International legal experts have called for greater transparency and accountability in military operations, emphasizing the need to ensure that such actions do not violate international law. They argue that the use of lethal force should be a last resort and should be accompanied by due process and legal oversight.

As the controversy continues, the US military has not provided further details about the intelligence that led to the attacks. The lack of transparency has fueled skepticism among legal experts and human rights organizations, who are calling for an independent investigation into the incidents.

The US coastguard’s decision to suspend the search for a survivor from the attacks reported on Saturday has further raised questions about the effectiveness of the military’s operations. Some experts believe that the US should focus on alternative strategies, such as increasing cooperation with other countries and improving border security, to combat drug trafficking more effectively.

With the death toll continuing to rise, the debate over the US military’s approach to drug trafficking is likely to intensify. Legal experts and human rights groups are urging the US government to reconsider its current strategy and ensure that any military actions taken are in compliance with international law.