US military kills alleged drug smugglers again in the Pacific

Washington. The US military says it has carried out another deadly attack on a boat allegedly carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific. Four people were killed in the attack on Wednesday (local time), Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth wrote on the X platform. The attack reportedly took place in international waters.

"The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for drug terrorists who bring drugs to our shores to poison Americans," emphasized the US Secretary of Defense, who now calls himself Secretary of War. Just on Tuesday, he caused a stir when he announced three attacks on boats in the Pacific – resulting in a total of 14 deaths.

For weeks, US forces have been repeatedly attacking boats allegedly laden with drugs in the Caribbean and the Pacific. Dozens of people are reported to have been killed – suspected drug smugglers whom the US government calls "terrorists." This approach has drawn widespread criticism. UN human rights experts consider it a violation of international law.

A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently said in New York that they were "very concerned about the increasing military activity on the high seas." It was important to avoid further escalation and to resolve conflicts through diplomacy. "Every time someone is killed, there must be accountability," he emphasized.

RND/dpa