Particle.news
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

U.S. Reports 42nd Maritime Strike in Eastern Pacific, Says Three ‘Narcoterrorists’ Killed

Critics say the U.S. has not shown conclusive proof linking the targeted vessels to drug trafficking.

Image
Image

Overview

  • U.S. Southern Command said a Feb. 20 strike hit a vessel in the eastern Pacific that military intelligence tied to designated terrorist organizations involved in narcotrafficking.
  • The command reported three men were killed and no U.S. personnel were injured, and it posted black‑and‑white footage showing the boat bombed and burning.
  • Military tallies list this as the 42nd operation since September 2025 with 138 deaths, while some outlets report nearly 150 fatalities and dozens of vessels destroyed.
  • Operations began in the Caribbean and expanded into the eastern Pacific, eased after the Jan. 3 capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, then resumed later in January.
  • International law experts, human-rights groups and UN officials question the legality of the maritime campaign and warn some strikes may amount to extrajudicial killings.