The U.S. military reported that five people were killed and one survivor was left following airstrikes on two boats suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific on April 11. The operation, confirmed by the U.S. Southern Command, is part of an ongoing campaign targeting alleged narcotics routes at sea.
According to officials, the boats were moving along routes commonly associated with drug smuggling. In the first strike, two individuals were killed while one survived. A second strike resulted in the deaths of three more people. Authorities have not publicly released evidence confirming the trafficking claims.
Following the incident, the U.S. Coast Guard was alerted to conduct a search and rescue mission for the survivor. Efforts were ongoing at the time of the latest update.
This latest action brings the total number of deaths linked to the U.S. campaign against suspected drug boats to at least 168 since it began in 2025. While officials argue the strikes are necessary to combat organized crime, the operations have drawn increasing criticism.
Concerns have intensified over how survivors are handled. A previous incident in September sparked controversy after survivors of an initial strike were killed in a follow-up attack. Lawmakers and human rights groups have raised questions about legality and accountability.
The administration maintains that such operations are part of a broader conflict against drug cartels, but legal challenges from affected families continue to push for greater transparency and justification.
