US Military Strike Kills Two on Suspected Drug Boat in Caribbean Sea

Washington — The U.S. military launched another strike on a boat accused of ferrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea, killing two people Monday.

The Trump administration's campaign of targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters has continued since early September and has killed at least 188 people in total. Other strikes have occurred in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The series of attacks has intensified in recent weeks despite the Iran war. This shows the administration's aggressive steps to combat what it calls "narcoterrorism" in the Western Hemisphere have not slowed. The military has not provided evidence that any of the vessels carried drugs.

The attacks started as the U.S. increased its military presence in the region to the largest in generations. They came months before the January raid that captured then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He was brought to New York to face drug trafficking charges and has pleaded not guilty.

In Monday's attack, U.S. Southern Command said it targeted alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes, repeating past statements. It posted a video on social media showing a boat moving on the water before a large explosion set the vessel ablaze.

President Trump has described the U.S. as being in "armed conflict" with cartels in Latin America. He has justified the strikes as needed to stop drugs from reaching the United States and causing fatal overdoses among Americans. His administration has provided little evidence to back claims of killing "narcoterrorists."

Critics have questioned the legality of the boat strikes.