It is specified that according to data from the U.S. Southern Command, two strikes were carried out in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean, while the third occurred in the Caribbean Sea. The destroyed boats are said to have belonged to "terrorist organizations" that were following known drug trafficking routes and were involved in illegal drug trade.
Since August of last year, Washington has initiated an operation aimed at destroying vessels allegedly engaged in transporting drugs to the U.S. The operation is also seen as a way to exert pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom U.S. authorities consider one of the leading drug lords.
According to available data, over 40 vessels have been sunk since the beginning of the operation, resulting in the deaths of about 150 people. There are also reports of at least one strike on coastal infrastructure.
However, critics of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and human rights organizations express doubts about the legal grounds for conducting attacks in international waters, pointing to the potential risk of civilian casualties.
