The US military said it carried out another strike on a vessel allegedly involved in drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person, amid growing scrutiny over such operations. Earlier videos of US boat strikes showed vessels suddenly exploding, suggesting missile strikes
Representational Image. File Pic
The US military said Monday that it had conducted another strike against a boat it said was smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person.
In a social media post, US Southern Command said, "Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations".
Southern Command provided no evidence that the vessel was engaged in drug smuggling.
A video posted by US Southern Command shows splashes of water near one side of the boat.
After a second salvo, the rear of the boat catches fire.
More splashes engulf the craft and the fire grows.
In the final second of the video, the vessel can be seen adrift with a large patch of fire alongside it.
Earlier videos of US boat strikes showed vessels suddenly exploding, suggesting missile strikes.
Some strike videos even had visible rocket-like projectiles coming down on the boats.
The Trump administration has said the strikes were meant to stop the flow of drugs into the US and increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
At least 105 people have been killed in 29 known strikes since early September.
The strikes have faced scrutiny from US lawmakers and human rights activists, who say the administration has offered scant evidence that its targets are indeed drug smugglers and say the fatal strikes amount to extrajudicial killings.
Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard has stepped up efforts to interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Trump administration's escalating campaign against Maduro.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
