The U.S. military conducted an airstrike on an alleged drug-carrying boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of four individuals on board. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the strike via social media, stating that it was part of an ongoing campaign against drug trafficking in the region.

This latest strike follows a series of operations that began on September 2, which have targeted multiple vessels suspected of drug smuggling. Hegseth noted that the recent strikes have resulted in the deaths of more than 60 people across 14 operations.

In his announcement, Hegseth explained that the boat was identified by U.S. intelligence as being involved in narcotics trafficking and was traveling along a known smuggling route. He emphasized that the strike was executed in international waters and that no U.S. personnel were harmed during the operation.

A video shared by Hegseth depicted the moment the boat was struck, showing it engulfed in flames and smoke. He described the vessel as being operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization, reiterating the administration's commitment to combating drug cartels in the region.

The Trump administration has been intensifying military operations in the waters off South America, which has raised concerns and speculation regarding potential political motives, particularly regarding Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. has accused Maduro of involvement in narcoterrorism, although no independent verification of the administration's claims about the struck vessels or the identities of those killed has been provided.

As the campaign continues, the administration has not released evidence linking the targeted boats to drug cartels or confirmed the identities of the deceased individuals. The situation remains fluid as the U.S. military maintains its presence in the region, focusing on disrupting drug trafficking operations.