On Friday local time, the US military reported that it had killed three individuals on a suspected drug boat in the Eastern Pacific. This incident adds to a troubling trend, as at least 136 people have now been killed in attacks on vessels that the US claims were involved in drug trafficking since September. These operations have drawn scrutiny and concern due to the lack of presented evidence confirming that the boats were genuinely being used for drug smuggling.

The claims of the US military regarding these attacks raise critical questions about the justification of their operations in international waters, especially when it comes to the balance between national security and international law. The continual assertion that the military is targeting drug traffickers without substantiated evidence can lead to broader implications for international relations and the principle of sovereignty over maritime activities.

As the situation unfolds, the testing of the US military's operational strategies in terms of combatting drug trafficking may come under increased examination. The apparent lack of evidence connecting the boats to drug operations may lead to a public outcry and call for transparency regarding military actions in such sensitive and potentially lethal encounters.