U.S. strikes four alleged drug boats, killing more than a dozen

The U.S. struck four alleged drug boats in the Eastern Pacific, bringing the total number of vessels hit to 14.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the Department of Defense carried out three strikes on four vessels operated by alleged designated terrorist organizations trafficking narcotics.

It’s the first time multiple strikes were announced in one day.

Mr. Hegseth took to social media to announce that 14 were killed during the three strikes Monday, with one survivor, bringing the death toll of the campaign against drug cartels to about 60 people.

“The four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics,” he said.

Mr. Hegseth said Mexican search-and-rescue authorities “assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue” of the sole survivor. It is unclear if that person would stay in Mexico’s custody or be handed over to the U.S.

The new strikes come as the Department of Defense announced it is sending the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier and a strike group to the Caribbean, escalating the Trump administration’s efforts to target suspected drug-smuggling vessels since beginning strikes in September.