US military strikes continue in the Caribbean, targeting alleged drug traffickers. In a recent operation, three men were killed aboard a vessel linked to a drug trafficking organization. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the strike, which took place in international waters under the direction of President Donald Trump. Hegseth stated that the vessel was known to be involved in narcotics smuggling and was operating along a recognized trafficking route.

This incident marks at least the 15th strike by US forces in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since early September, resulting in a total of at least 64 fatalities. Hegseth emphasized that the US will treat these drug traffickers as terrorists, stating, "The Department will treat them EXACTLY how we treated Al-Qaeda. We will continue to track them, map them, hunt them, and kill them."

The targeted group has been designated as a terrorist organization by the US, although Hegseth did not specify which group was involved. The strikes are part of a broader campaign initiated by the Trump administration to combat drug trafficking, which has included deploying Navy ships and F-35 warplanes to the region.

While the US government defends these military actions as necessary to prevent drugs from entering the country, the operations have faced criticism. The United Nations' human rights chief condemned the strikes, calling for an independent investigation into the rising human cost of these military actions. Critics argue that the use of military force in drug enforcement raises serious legal and ethical concerns, and the Trump administration has been urged to provide more transparency regarding the legal basis for these strikes and the identities of those targeted.

As tensions rise, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has denounced the US military operations, suggesting they are part of a strategy to undermine his government. The situation remains complex as the US continues its aggressive stance against drug trafficking in the region.