The United States military has killed at least three people in a strike on a boat in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that Washington accused of carrying illegal drugs.
The attack, which took place on Thursday, is the latest in a series of US strikes against vessels suspected of being linked to drug trafficking near US waters.
The US Southern Command said the operation was a “lethal kinetic strike” against a vessel allegedly operated by groups designated as terrorist organisations. It claimed intelligence showed the boat was travelling along known drug-smuggling routes and was involved in narcotics operations.
A video released with the statement appeared to show a fast-moving boat being hit by a missile before catching fire.
The US said at least 211 people have been killed in similar Pacific operations. President Donald Trump’s administration has described the campaign as part of an “armed conflict” against Latin American drug cartels.
However, critics have questioned the legality of the strikes, saying the US has not provided enough evidence linking all those killed to drug trafficking. Some human rights groups and lawmakers have accused Washington of possibly targeting fishermen with no cartel connections.
On Thursday, US senators demanded that the Pentagon release unedited footage of the attacks.
The first strike in September faced major criticism after the military confirmed a second attack was carried out after the initial strike, killing survivors. Eleven people died in that incident, with critics arguing that attacking survivors was unlawful.
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