High Seas Showdown: U.S. Military's Bold Drug War Tactics

The U.S. military conducted a strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Pacific, marking the first such action in the region under the Trump administration's anti-drug offensive. The operation raises questions about military involvement in drug enforcement typically handled by the Coast Guard.

The U.S. military escalated its counter-drug operations by targeting a suspected drug vessel in the Pacific Ocean near South America. This strike marks a significant development as the first military action in the region since the Trump administration intensified its anti-drug efforts.

This follows a series of military actions in the Caribbean, which have heightened tensions with nations like Venezuela and Colombia. Legal experts are questioning the rationale behind utilizing military force instead of the Coast Guard's maritime law enforcement capabilities, especially given the high stakes involved.

Amid ongoing operations, a U.S. military strike in the Caribbean recently left two alleged traffickers alive, who were subsequently repatriated. The administration has been tight-lipped about the specifics of these operations, including details about the interdicted substances and supporting evidence.

(With inputs from agencies.)