US kills 14 people in three strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats

"An accompanying video showed one missile striking two boats floating side by side, setting both aflame. Eight men were aboard the pair of vessels during the first strike. A second attack targeted a small boat carrying four men, and a third hit another boat with three people. It was not immediately clear which of the three attacks left a survivor."

"None of the victims were identified, nor was any evidence presented to the public to substantiate the allegations of drug trafficking. The string of attacks on Monday marked the first time multiple strikes were announced in a single day. It was also the second time a survivor has been confirmed since the bombing campaign began on September 2."

The United States announced three air strikes against boats accused of trafficking illegal narcotics in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, killing 14 people and leaving one survivor. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the strikes on social media, framing them as a national security measure. An accompanying video showed a missile striking two boats; those vessels carried eight men. A second strike hit a small boat with four men and a third struck a boat with three people. Mexican authorities led search-and-rescue efforts. None of the victims were identified and no public evidence was provided to substantiate trafficking allegations. Critics called the campaign extrajudicial and a violation of international law. The strikes marked the first time multiple attacks were announced in a single day and the second time a survivor has been confirmed since the campaign began on September 2. Prior survivors from an October 16 strike were repatriated or remain hospitalized.

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