The United States military expanded its campaign against alleged drug trafficking by conducting a lethal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday (October 21), killing both individuals on board. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the strike, marking the eighth known attack on alleged drug-smuggling vessels since September. This strike is notable as it is the first to occur in the Pacific, with previous strikes targeting boats in the Caribbean Sea.

The latest operation took place off the coast of Colombia, signaling a broadening of the US military's efforts in its controversial fight against drug trafficking. In a video released by Hegseth on X, a small boat carrying brown packages is seen exploding after being struck, with Hegseth equating the alleged drug traffickers to the terror group responsible for the September 11 attacks.

"Just as al-Qaida waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people," Hegseth stated, emphasizing that there will be "no refuge or forgiveness – only justice."

The expansion of the campaign into the Pacific raises questions about the administration's strategy, as the White House has not provided further details on the reasons behind this move.

The Trump administration has faced criticism for these strikes, with concerns about the legal justification for using lethal force against drug cartels. The administration has attempted to justify the strikes by labeling the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, arguing that this designation allows for military action under the president's article two powers.