The US Southern Command has announced the killing of two individuals suspected of drug smuggling in a military strike carried out in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This operation, executed under the directive of the newly appointed Gen Francis L Donovan, marks a continuation of a controversial policy regarding military strikes on maritime drug trafficking. Legal experts have raised concerns about what they term as extrajudicial killings, indicating that the Pentagon's strike policy may circumvent due process and legal norms.

The strike was described as targeting a boat known for operating along established drug trafficking routes in the region. Following the attack, the US Coast Guard was deployed to locate a potential lone survivor, suggesting there may have been other individuals on board. This incident is part of a broader pattern, with this strike bringing the total number of deaths linked to such US operations to at least 130 across 38 separate strikes in recent times. The nature of these operations has sparked significant debate regarding the accountability and legality of military actions taken against suspected criminals in international waters.

Gen Donovan's new position comes after the retirement of Adm Alvin Holsey, who reportedly had disagreements over the aggressive strike policy. The change in leadership might indicate a shift in strategy or an endorsement of the continued use of lethal strikes against drug traffickers. This raises critical questions about the US military's expanding role in domestic law enforcement, particularly in combating drug-related crimes in Latin America and the Caribbean, and may have lasting implications for international relations and military engagement in these regions.