Alleged drug smugglers jumped overboard in recent boat strikes, U.S. military says
CBS News••general
Key Points:
- The U.S. military struck three alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in three deaths and prompting individuals on two boats to abandon ship and jump into the water.
- The U.S. Coast Guard was notified for search-and-rescue operations, deploying aircraft and coordinating with nearby vessels to assist mariners in distress.
- Additional strikes on two vessels on Wednesday killed five more people, bringing the total death toll in the ongoing campaign against drug traffickers to at least 115.
- The Trump administration's aggressive boat strikes have faced criticism and legal concerns from members of Congress, who worry about the potential for conflict with Venezuela and question the strikes' authorization and legality.
- President Trump claimed a recent
