WASHINGTON — The U.S. military conducted three strikes on Monday against boats suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals and leaving one survivor. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the strikes on Tuesday, marking the first time multiple strikes were reported in a single day since the campaign against drug trafficking began in early September.

The strikes were carried out off the coast of Colombia and represent an escalation in the frequency of military actions in the region. A Pentagon official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the military had identified the boats as being involved in narcotics trafficking.

After one of the strikes, military personnel spotted a survivor in the water clinging to wreckage. The U.S. military relayed the survivor's location to the U.S. Coast Guard and a Mexican military aircraft operating nearby. Hegseth stated that Mexican search and rescue authorities “assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue” of the survivor, but did not clarify whether that person would remain in Mexico or be handed over to U.S. authorities.

Earlier this month, the U.S. military had conducted a strike that resulted in two survivors, who were later repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador. The Ecuadorian survivor was released after prosecutors found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Hegseth shared footage of the recent strikes on social media, showing two boats laden with parcels that exploded upon impact. A third strike targeted two stationary boats, which appeared largely empty before being engulfed in flames. Hegseth emphasized that the vessels were known to U.S. intelligence as operating along established drug trafficking routes.

The death toll from the 13 strikes conducted since early September has now reached at least 57 individuals. The Trump administration has faced criticism for not providing evidence to substantiate claims regarding the boats' connections to drug cartels or the identities of those killed.

In his remarks, Hegseth drew parallels between the military's actions against drug trafficking and the war on terrorism, stating that drug cartels “have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda, and they will be treated the same.” President Trump has justified the strikes by asserting that the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, labeling them as unlawful combatants under the same legal framework used during the war on terrorism.

The recent military actions have strained relations with regional allies, including Mexico and Colombia. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed discontent with the strikes, stating that her government does not agree with such actions and has requested discussions with the U.S. ambassador. Meanwhile, tensions have escalated with Colombia, where the U.S. has imposed sanctions on President Gustavo Petro and members of his administration over alleged ties to the drug trade.

As the U.S. military continues its operations in the region, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about the implications of these strikes for international relations and regional stability.