𝐔𝐒 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐧, 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟑 — 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝟕𝟎

U.S. forces have carried out another deadly strike against an alleged drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, leaving three people dead, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Thursday.

According to Hegseth, the operation targeted what officials described as a “suspected narcotics smuggling boat” believed to be transporting illegal substances through a known trafficking corridor.

The Pentagon said the strike was part of Washington’s intensified anti-narcotics campaign across the region.This latest attack brings the total number of fatalities linked to the U.S. campaign to at least 70, amid growing international criticism over the legality and civilian impact of the operations.

Rights groups and several Latin American governments have accused Washington of using excessive force in international waters without sufficient evidence or accountability. However, U.S. officials maintain that the missions are aimed at dismantling powerful drug networks responsible for destabilizing the Caribbean and Latin America.“The United States will continue to pursue those who traffic drugs and fuel violence,”

Hegseth said, defending the campaign as “necessary to protect American lives and regional stability.”

The Pentagon did not release details on the identities of the three people killed or the exact location of the strike, but said an investigation into the incident is underway.