WASHINGTON — In a significant operation targeting drug trafficking, the U.S. military announced on Wednesday that it had successfully hit five suspected drug-smuggling vessels over a two-day span. The strikes resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, while others reportedly abandoned ship and may have survived.

The U.S. Southern Command, which is responsible for operations in South America, did not disclose the exact locations of Tuesday and Wednesday’s operations. Historically, similar interventions have been conducted in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.

A video released on social media by Southern Command captured Tuesday’s operation, showing three boats traveling in unusually close proximity. According to the military, these vessels were moving in a convoy along well-known drug trafficking routes and had exchanged narcotics among themselves before being targeted. However, no additional evidence was provided to substantiate this claim.

During the initial strike, three individuals aboard the first boat were killed. Occupants of the remaining two boats reportedly jumped overboard, distancing themselves from the vessels before they were also engaged. Following the strikes, Southern Command promptly informed the U.S. Coast Guard to initiate search and rescue operations.

The statement from Southern Command did not clarify whether those who leaped from the boats were successfully 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.

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