The U.S. military has executed another decisive strike in its ongoing battle against drug trafficking, this time in the eastern Pacific. On Thursday, a boat believed to be involved in narcotics transportation was destroyed, resulting in the deaths of four individuals identified as “narco-terrorists.” This action marks a continuation of the Trump administration’s aggressive anti-drug strategy, which has recently come under increased scrutiny.

According to the U.S. Southern Command, the military carried out the operation in international waters, targeting a vessel linked to a recognized terrorist organization. The specific group remains unnamed, but the military emphasized that the boat was navigating a notorious drug-smuggling route in the eastern Pacific, laden with illegal substances.

In a brief 21-second video released by the U.S. Southern Command, the dramatic moment of the strike is captured, showing the boat as it is hit and subsequently set ablaze. This visual evidence underscores the intensity of the U.S. military’s efforts to curb the flow of drugs across international waters.

Amidst these operations, some political figures have voiced concerns. Notably, Rand Paul has critiqued the strikes, suggesting they might be a precursor to more significant military actions, potentially even an invasion of Venezuela. This perspective adds another layer to the ongoing debate over the U.S.’s tactics in its war on drugs.

The latest strike came the same day Navy Adm. Frank Bradley was in Congress to brief lawmakers on the U.S. military’s Sept. 2 strike against an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean, where 11 people were killed. 

During the briefings, which were held in both chambers, Bradley, the commander of Joint Special Operations Command, denied reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued an order to “kill everybody” aboard ahead of the Sept. 2 operation.

The briefing from Bradley came as lawmakers in both parties were asking the Trump administration for more information regarding the Sept. 2 mission, where the U.S. military is said to have conducted four strikes — two to kill those on board and two others to sink the vessel — according to a U.S. official who spoke with The Hill on the condition of anonymity. 

Since early September, the U.S. military has conducted more than 20 strikes against purported drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing at least 87 people, according to the Trump administration. 

Thursday’s strike in the eastern Pacific represents the first U.S. strike against an alleged drug-smuggling vessel since mid-November, when the U.S. military blew up a purported drug-smuggling boat and killed three “narco-terrorists.”