US Carries Out Pacific Strikes; Graham Warns Land Option

U.S. forces carried out three strikes in the eastern Pacific off Colombia that destroyed four suspected drug-smuggling vessels and killed 14 people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, and video of the attacks showed one survivor who was rescued with Mexican authorities' coordination. Officials say those strikes are part of an anti-narcotics campaign that began in early September and has involved at least 13 operations that have killed at least 57 people and destroyed numerous boats across the Caribbean and Pacific. The White House and Pentagon say the actions target narco-trafficking routes to protect Americans and have been backed by a regional military buildup, including an aircraft carrier strike group, Aegis ships and F-35 deployments. Critics and some lawmakers argue the strikes may be illegal, point to a lack of public evidence and congressional authorization, and warn the operations risk escalating regional tensions and fears of U.S. intervention in Venezuela. Sen. Lindsey Graham said President Trump plans to brief Congress on possible expanded operations that could move "from the sea to the land," calling land strikes in Venezuela and Colombia a "real possibility" while defending the president's authority.