The U.S. military has conducted an airstrike on an alleged drug trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, marking the eighth such strike since early September. The attack occurred Tuesday night, resulting in the deaths of two individuals on board, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The strike took place in international waters off the coast of Colombia. Hegseth stated that the vessel was linked to a designated terrorist organization involved in narcotics smuggling. He emphasized that the vessel was known to be operating along a recognized drug trafficking route and was carrying narcotics at the time of the strike.

Hegseth shared a video of the incident, showing the vessel before it was hit and engulfed in flames. He confirmed that no U.S. forces were harmed during the operation. This latest strike adds to a series of military actions against alleged drug vessels, with at least 34 individuals reported killed in these operations since September.

The Trump administration has defended the use of military force in this context, framing it as part of a broader campaign against drug cartels. Hegseth noted that the administration views the narcotics trade as a significant threat, claiming it results in tens of thousands of American deaths each year.

Critics, including some lawmakers, have raised legal concerns regarding the military's involvement in counter-narcotics operations, traditionally handled by law enforcement agencies like the Coast Guard. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona expressed skepticism about the rationale behind the strikes, stating that the routes used for drug trafficking often do not lead directly to the U.S.

In a previous incident earlier this month, two men survived a U.S. strike on a semi-submersible vessel in the Caribbean. They were subsequently repatriated to their home countries, with one individual from Ecuador released due to a lack of evidence against him, while the Colombian survivor remains hospitalized.

The U.S. military has also received permission from the Dominican Republic to use its airports for operations supporting counternarcotics flights. This collaboration has been ongoing since the mid-1980s, focusing on combating drug trafficking and organized crime in the region.

As the U.S. continues its military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of guided missile destroyers and fighter jets, the administration's strategy in addressing drug trafficking remains under scrutiny. The Coast Guard has also been active in the region, seizing over 100,000 pounds of cocaine as part of its operations.

The ongoing military actions reflect a significant shift in U.S. policy regarding drug interdiction, raising questions about the balance between military force and law enforcement in addressing the complex issue of drug trafficking.