WASHINGTON (TNND) — Six alleged “narco-terrorists” were killed on Sunday in a U.S. military strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean as the Trump administration continues its campaign against trafficking.
“Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” U.S. Southern Command said. No U.S. military forces were harmed.
The weekend attack brought the death toll to at least 157 people since the administration began targeting the alleged drug boats in early September.
President Donald Trump on Saturday welcomed leaders from across Latin America for the “Shield of the Americas” Summit in Florida, where he signed a proclamation to counter cartel criminal activity across the Western Hemisphere.
Trump said the summit was convened to bring together like-minded allies in the region to promote freedom, security, and prosperity amid efforts to stop narco-terrorists and drug trafficking cartels.
“On this historic day, we come together to announce a brand new military coalition to eradicate the criminal cartels plaguing our region,” the U.S. president said at the event. “We’re calling this military partnership the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition.”
He also encouraged the leaders to take military action against cartels and transnational gangs that he said pose an “unacceptable threat” to the hemisphere’s national security.
“The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our militaries,” Trump said. “We have to use our military. You have to use your military.”
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Editor’s note: The National News Desk’s Jessica Botelho contributed to this article.