The operation is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration, which has carried out more than 30 strikes against suspected drug trafficking activities in the Caribbean and Pacific regions since September. According to officials, these operations have killed at least 110 people.
In a post on X, United States Southern Command said three alleged narco-traffickers aboard the first vessel were killed during the initial engagement. It added that individuals on two other vessels jumped overboard and abandoned their boats before follow-up strikes sank them.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there are serious concerns for eight people who abandoned their vessels and are now missing.
According to Reuters, the Coast Guard confirmed it has deployed a C-130 aircraft and is coordinating with other ships in the area to search for survivors.
This is not the first time survivors have been reported after US strikes during the current administration. In previous incidents, survivors were repatriated to their home countries for detention and prosecution. In late October, Mexican authorities also carried out a search and rescue mission after a similar strike left at least one survivor.
The strikes form part of Washington’s aggressive drug interdiction strategy, though legal experts continue to question their legality. The administration is also facing growing pressure to demonstrate that these operations comply with international laws concerning the treatment and rescue of shipwrecked survivors.
