Washington — The U.S. navy on Monday struck 4 extra vessels that have been allegedly trafficking narcotics within the japanese Pacific Ocean, killing 14 and leaving one survivor, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth introduced on X.
The 4 vessels have been hit in three completely different strikes, Hegseth mentioned. The strikes carry the full demise toll in President Trump’s marketing campaign in opposition to alleged traffickers within the Caribbean and the japanese Pacific to greater than 50.
“The 4 vessels have been recognized by our intelligence equipment, transiting alongside recognized narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics,” Hegseth wrote. “Eight male narco-terrorists have been aboard the vessels throughout the first strike. 4 male narco-terrorists have been aboard the vessel throughout the second strike. Three male narco-terrorists have been aboard the vessel throughout the third strike. A complete of 14 narco-terrorists have been killed throughout the three strikes, with one survivor. All strikes have been in worldwide waters with no U.S. forces harmed.”
He added: “These narco-terrorists have killed extra Individuals than Al-Qaeda, and they are going to be handled the identical. We are going to monitor them, we’ll community them, after which, we’ll hunt and kill them.”
Hegseth mentioned U.S. navy personnel instantly started search and rescue operations for the survivor, and Mexican authorities assumed accountability for coordinating the rescue. It is not clear what occurred to the survivor from there.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed at a Tuesday morning information convention that the strike was in worldwide waters and the Mexican Navy rescued one particular person.
In a assertion, the Mexican Navy confirmed it was “conducting a maritime search and rescue operation 400 miles southwest of Acapulco” on the request of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Mr. Trump, at present on a multiday journey in Asia, has mentioned his administration will present details about the strikes to Congress, however he will not search a declaration of conflict.
“I believe we’re simply going to kill folks which are bringing medicine into our nation. OK? We will kill them. ? They’ll be like, lifeless,” he mentioned final week.
Mr. Trump additionally mentioned land strikes in Venezuela may come subsequent, amid heightened tensions between the 2 nations.
Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, has known as the navy airstrikes on the boats “extrajudicial killings.” Paul informed “Fox Information Sunday” this week that Congress has obtained “no info” on the strike marketing campaign from the administration.
