The United States has conducted three attacks resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals, targeting alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific as part of its anti-narcotics operations.
The United States military reported that it killed 11 individuals in three separate attacks on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. These latest military actions come in the wake of the departure of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford, which had been involved in anti-drug operations known as Operation Southern Command in the region since October. This operation is part of a broader strategy by the U.S. government to curb narcotics trafficking, which has been particularly focused on Venezuela, where the U.S. has exerted pressure in the lead-up to significant political events.
The attacks were executed by U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in Latin America, as stated in their announcements. The use of military force in these operations highlights the ongoing concerns regarding drug trafficking networks that operate in these waters, which have been a pivotal area for the distribution of illegal narcotics. Allegations of involvement and connections between these networks and state actors in Venezuela have further complicated the geopolitical landscape in the region.
These operations not only reflect the U.S. commitment to combating drug trafficking but also signal the heightened tensions with Venezuela, particularly after the operation in January that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas. As such, these military engagements could have broader implications for U.S.-Latin America relations, potentially exacerbating conflicts and affecting regional stability.
