Trump Expands Drug Boat Strikes Killing Two in Pacific

President Donald Trump has asserted his administration's legal authority to target drug trafficking vessels near Venezuela, with plans to possibly seek Congressional approval for any land-based strikes. Recently, the Trump administration expanded its aggressive "drug boat" strike campaign from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the lethal strike on a vessel operated by a designated terrorist organization involved in narcotics smuggling. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the strike, conducted in international waters, killed two suspected narco-terrorists without harming U.S. forces, framing the drug cartels as a direct threat akin to Al Qaeda. This escalation reflects the administration's intensified military presence and controversial approach combining anti-drug and anti-terror strategies. Trump emphasized the use of strong force against drug traffickers and highlighted the administration's readiness to act decisively while maintaining transparency by potentially consulting Congress. These measures underline the administration's commitment to combating narcotics trafficking through expanded military operations.