21st US military strike on alleged drug boats kills 3

Trump administration escalates campaign against 'drug terrorists' in South American waters

Last updated:
Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor
2 MIN READ
A screengrab of the alleged drug boat before it went up in a huge fireball, in a video uploaded by the US military's Southern Command.
A screengrab of the alleged drug boat before it went up in a huge fireball, in a video uploaded by the US military's Southern Command.
X | @Southcom

This comes as the Trump administration escalates its campaign in South American waters. The 20th strike happened Sunday (November 9), while the 21st hit took place on Saturday (November 15).

The US military has announced it carried out its 21st strike on alleged drug boat, killed three persons.

This comes as the Trump administration escalates its campaign in South American waters. The 20th strike happened Sunday (November 9), while the 21st hit took place on Saturday (November 15).

This brings the death toll from the strikes that began in September to 83.

The Mexican Navy suspending its search for a survivor of a strike in late October after four days.

The Monday hit, which occurred the same day that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced two strikes had been carried out on Sunday

The Trump administration has expanded the US military's already large presence in the region by bringing in the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.

The nation's most advanced warship is expected to arrive in the coming days after traveling from the Mediterranean Sea.

Hegseth on Thursday formally named the mission “Operation Southern Spear,” emphasising the growing significance and permanence of the military’s presence in the region.

Once the USS Ford arrives, the mission will encompass nearly a dozen Navy ships as well about 12,000 sailors and Marines.

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