US military strikes 5 more alleged drug boats, killing 8 and possibly leaving survivors

"Previous attacks have been in the Caribbean Sea and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. A video of Tuesday's attack posted by Southern Command on social media shows three boats traveling in a close formation, which is unusual, and the military said they were in a convoy along known narco-trafficking routes and "had transferred narcotics between the three vessels prior to the strikes." The military did not provide evidence to back up the claim."

"The military said three people were killed when the first boat was struck, while people in the other two boats jumped overboard and distanced themselves from the vessels before they were attacked. Southern Command said it immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate search and rescue efforts. Southern Command's statement did not say whether those who jumped off the boats were rescued."

"Calling in the Coast Guard is notable because the U.S. military drew heavy scrutiny after U.S. forces killed the survivors of an attack in early September with a follow-up strike to their disabled boat. Some Democratic lawmakers and legal experts said the military committed a crime, while the Trump administration and some Republican lawmakers say the follow-up strike was legal."

U.S. Southern Command reported strikes on five alleged drug-smuggling boats over two days, resulting in eight deaths and others jumping into the water. Locations of the attacks were not disclosed, though previous strikes occurred in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Video of one attack showed three boats traveling in an unusual close formation and alleged mid-sea transfers of narcotics; no evidence was provided. Three people were killed in the first strike; occupants of the other two boats abandoned ship. The Coast Guard was notified to conduct search-and-rescue, and the military's follow-up strikes have drawn political and legal scrutiny.

Read at ABC7 Los Angeles