Two killed in latest US strike on alleged drug trafficking boat in Pacific

Saturday, 9 May 2026 10:36

Two men have been killed after the US military struck an alleged drug trafficking boat in the Pacific Ocean.

Another survived the attack on Friday, a rarity for American strikes on "narco-terrorists".

The US said its coast guard had been notified for a search and rescue operation. A US official cited by the New York Times said the Mexican navy was heading the search.

American forces have attacked multiple boats in the eastern Pacific in recent ‌weeks through deadly strikes - killing more than 190 people since September.

President Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly said that targeted vessels were transporting narcotics.

The US Southern Command said on Friday the targeted vessel was operated by "Designated Terrorists Organizations" and was "transiting along known narco-trafficking routes."

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US officials did not identify the organisations or the individuals or provide details on its claims.

Human rights groups have repeatedly questioned the legality of American strikes - with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International branding them as "unlawful extrajudicial killings".

Sky News