Photo: Pete Hegseth/X
The U.S. military has expanded its campaign against alleged drug cartel vessels, conducting a second airstrike in the Eastern Pacific Ocean within two days. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the latest strike on Wednesday (October 22) via social media, sharing a video of the attack that occurred in international waters. The strike resulted in the deaths of three individuals, with no U.S. forces harmed.
This operation marks a shift from previous strikes in the Caribbean to the Pacific, a major drug trafficking route. Colombia's government criticized the U.S. action, calling it "disproportionate and outside international law." Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister Mauricio Jaramillo urged the U.S. to collaborate with Colombia in combating drug trafficking.
President Donald Trump defended the strikes, asserting his legal authority to target vessels in international waters and hinting at potential expansion to land-based targets.
The ongoing operations have resulted in at least 37 deaths, as reported by ABC News.