Over 200 Deaths in U.S. Boat Strike Campaign

More than 200 individuals have died in a U.S. military bombing campaign aimed at drug smugglers in South American waters. Recent attacks have intensified the death toll over the past week.

The military announced on Saturday the deaths of three men in the eastern Pacific. These individuals were targeted during an operation authorized by Gen. Francis L. Donovan, the leader of the Southern Command. The military accused the men of participating in narco-trafficking activities. This incident raised the total fatalities to 202 across over 60 strikes.

The campaign has been marked by secrecy. There is limited recovery of bodies and minimal evidence of debris or drugs on the boats, which the Trump administration claimed were involved in illicit activities.

Legal experts argue these strikes breach international law. The military is not permitted to intentionally target civilians, even if they are suspected criminals, unless they pose an immediate danger. Furthermore, experts point out that the strikes have not noticeably reduced cocaine flow from South America to the U.S.

The impact on coastal communities in Colombia and Ecuador is profound. Many boats originated from these areas, and residents are experiencing loss on multiple levels. Aside from missing relatives, the attacks disrupt the livelihoods of those dependent on the ocean, instilling fear in communities.