The US military has struck ships involved in drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on his social media account.
"The strikes destroyed four vessels operated by recognized terrorist organizations involved in drug trafficking. A total of 14 drug-trafficking suspects were killed, with one surviving. American forces suffered no casualties," he wrote.
He said the operations were conducted in international waters and the rescue mission handed over the survivor to Mexican authorities.
"These narco-terrorists have killed more Americans than al-Qaeda*, and they will be destroyed just as much. We will track them, identify their networks, and destroy them," the US defense chief emphasized.
The operation was carried out at the behest of President Donald Trump .
The United States has repeatedly used military forces to destroy boats in the Caribbean allegedly carrying drugs. Authorities claim these operations are part of the fight against transnational crime and drug trafficking.
In September, relations with Venezuela deteriorated significantly. The United States then sent three ships to its shores. The White House threatened to use all available means to combat drug trafficking. In response, the president of the Latin American country announced a massive conscription of the Bolivarian militia, calling it part of a plan to protect sovereignty and prevent the "empire" from interfering in Caracas's affairs. Since then, the United States has repeatedly announced strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels.
In mid-October, Colombian President Gustavo Petro claimed that US government officials had committed murder by attacking a fishing boat in Colombian waters. Trump later announced a halt to all payments or subsidies to the country, accusing it of stimulating the mass production of illegal substances.