U.S. military strikes another suspected drug-smuggling vessel

The U.S. military struck an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Eastern Pacific on Thursday, leaving three survivors, U.S. Southern Command announced.

The “low-profile” vessel was being operated by a designated terrorist organization, but SOUTHCOM did not clarify which terrorist group it was referring to.

“Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three narco-terrorists survived the strike,” the military said on social media.

The military contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, which coordinated with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Costa Rica, to activate a search and rescue mission.

All three were transferred to the Costa Rican Coast Guard.

Of the three who survived the attack, two died before being recovered, and another was successfully recovered.

Since September, the U.S. military has carried out 45 strikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific ⁠against alleged drug boats, killing over 150 people allegedly affiliated with drug organizations.

The Trump administration said the strikes are stopping the flow of drugs into the U.S.

However, Gen. Francis Donovan, the head of SOUTHCOM, told lawmakers Thursday that boat strikes alone aren’t the answer.

“I believe that actually kinetic strikes will be one of the many tools, and probably not the most effective tool, when we actually look at it as more of a campaign approach,” he said.