Deadly U.S. Airstrike Targets Alleged Drug Vessel, Raising International Concerns

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that American forces struck a drug smuggling vessel in international waters on Friday, killing three people he described as "drug terrorists." The attack targeted a boat operated by Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) that was carrying large quantities of narcotics along a known smuggling route.

Hegseth shared the news on X but didn't specify exactly where the strike took place. He only said the vessel was operating in an area overseen by US Southern Command, which handles American military operations across Latin America.

This marks another escalation in US counter-narcotics efforts in the region. The ELN is Colombia's largest remaining rebel group and has been linked to drug trafficking operations that help fund their activities. The group has been fighting the Colombian government for decades and controls territory in several parts of the country.

The strike comes as the US continues to pressure Latin American governments to crack down on drug trafficking networks. Colombia remains the world's largest cocaine producer, and much of that supply ends up in American cities. US Southern Command regularly conducts operations to intercept drug shipments before they reach US shores.

But targeting vessels in international waters raises questions about the legal framework for such operations. The US typically coordinates with partner nations or acts under specific authorities when conducting strikes outside American territory. The Pentagon hasn't provided details about what legal justification was used for Friday's attack.