A timeline of US strikes on boats that have killed at least 180
A timeline of US strikes on boats that have killed at least 180
As reported by official statements and CNN’s examination of search and rescue efforts, the US military has been responsible for the deaths of 180 individuals and the sinking of 54 vessels in targeted operations. These strikes, part of an initiative Washington claims aims to reduce drug trafficking into the nation, have sparked debate over their legality and impact.
Recent strikes and survivor searches
The latest incident occurred on April 19, when a suspected drug-trafficking boat was struck. On December 30, the US Coast Guard began searching for survivors who had abandoned their vessel in international waters, though the operation was later suspended on January 2 without locating all those missing. Similarly, searches for survivors were launched following strikes on October 27, January 23, and February 9, but none of these efforts yielded results.
At least 15 individuals survived the attacks, with two briefly detained by the US Navy before being returned to their countries of origin. Eleven others are considered missing, presumed dead, after searches failed to recover them from the water.
“The US is now in an ‘armed conflict’ against drug cartels,” stated the Trump administration, citing its first strike on September 2 as the start of this campaign. Officials labeled the victims “unlawful combatants” and asserted the right to conduct lethal operations without judicial oversight, based on a classified Justice Department assessment.
Despite these actions, some lawmakers and human rights organizations have raised concerns about the justification for targeting potential drug traffickers. They argue that the policy of prosecution, which preceded the Trump era, should still apply. Additionally, the administration has not publicly demonstrated the presence of narcotics on the boats or their connection to known cartels.
Military personnel have confirmed no US service members were injured in these strikes. The story has been updated with additional reporting.
